2018 New Year's Messages From 7 Christian Leaders
2. Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California
Instead of merely focusing on weight loss and exercise (there is a place for that), let's focus primarily on our relationship with God in this coming year.
Is it really possible to change—to be a "new you" this year?
The answer is yes, people can change.
Scripture teaches that if we want to change, there is our part and there is God's part. A classic verse that pulls those together in found in Philippians 2:13–14, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
The idea of "working out one's salvation" is referring to living out one's faith—carrying it out correctly.
The verb "work out" carries the meaning of "work to full completion." There is work involved in living the Christian life, as well as warfare and discipline.
These are not words we necessarily want to hear, but if you want to get in good shape, you "work out," not "sit out." The Christian life is not an easy one.
It is not a playground, but a battleground.
Original post at harvest.org
