It Doesn’t Just Happen

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 11:30

On the hit TV show The Biggest Loser contestants work hard every week to drop pounds so they can remain on the show. They are held accountable by a gigantic scale that reveals their weight in front of millions of Americans. Going into the contest, the contestants know weight loss doesn’t just happen; they have to fight for it by breaking old habits and creating new, healthy ones. Desperate to lose weight and get healthy, they do whatever it takes to achieve their goal.

This “do whatever it takes” mentality should be our focus as Christians. Becoming like Christ won’t just happen; it takes discipline and the pursuit of righteousness. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we made a commitment to Him, and it is our responsibility to put off the “old man” and “put on the new man . . . in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24).

When we earnestly do this, we will be well on our way to achieving our goal of godly righteousness and pointing others toward Christ Jesus.

I know I can’t do a thing to earn my salvation; but now that I am His, I will do everything in my power to show Him how much I love Him and I live to please the One I love who has transformed me with His love.

KATHERINE WALDEN