Learning About Revolution

and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:47

            Did you know the word revolution originally described the turning of a wheel or the completion of a cycle? Over time, it came to describe dramatic changes that turn an established order upside down. A revolution happens when things can no longer continue as they have been.

            Recently my truck alert system has been telling me my right tire needs air. This usually happens when the air outside turns cold. It just doesn’t seem to be able to read the tire pressure correctly. This event seems to be a habit of my Chevy. The weather turns cold and the habit starts up again. “Let’s irritate Susan by sending an annoying notice each time she starts the engine.” I can fill the tire to the required pressure and it will still state it needs a fill. When I study the structure of the tire, I can see it is structurally sound and should be holding the air in perfectly. It still continues to revolve and move my car as it should. On a weekly basis I try to determine if this is something that can no longer continue or whether it’s ok to just let happen, knowing it will all be fine. But the question is always there, will this tire burst and turn my world upside down?

            Sin is one of these nasty revolving habits. Sin is a habit that can cause our lives to turn upside down and when it does and we can no longer continue in this way, we need to be able to turn to the God of grace for His help. Like the revolution of a country used to free themselves from slavery, or the revolution of change that moves society into a new era, sin can move our lives into a place of destruction and a revolution has to be completed in order to bring our life back together.

            Have you ever found yourself doing the very thing you promised yourself you would stop doing? Perhaps it is a familiar pattern of impatience, resentment, gossip, pride, or turning to something other than God for comfort. You recognize it, regret it, and resolve to do better. Yet, somehow, you find yourself right back where you started. This is sin. It comes from the enemy and keeps us as far away from God as it possibly can, for as long as it can. Sin has a way of becoming familiar. What begins as a choice can gradually become a pattern, and what becomes a pattern can begin to shape the way we think, respond, and live. We may grow so accustomed to these habits that we no longer recognize how deeply they affect our relationship with God and the people around us. But what if changing these habits could do more than help us become better people? What if it could revolutionize our lives?

            I read a quote recently that said, “It is through repentance that many of God’s choicest graces enter our experience. If each of us took stock of our habitual sins and earnestly pleaded with God in persistent prayer, relying on the power of his grace, then the freedom we would gain from breaking just one sinful habit would revolutionize our lives.”[1] Changing our sinful habits isn't simply about trying harder to be good. It's about allowing God to change us from the inside out. As He renews our minds, reshapes our desires, and teaches us to respond differently, the effects reach far beyond the habit itself. Our relationships can change. Our peace can deepen. Our walk with Christ can grow.

            Our sins are not little annoying habits we are able to manage. Sins overwhelm us, take control of us, spiral our lives out of control, bring us to our worst. We need to look at our sin as an area God wants to bring real transformation. We must start seeing our sin through eyes that have been opened to the Lord for who He really is, holy, righteous, and all-powerful. When we do this, we will then see the true nature of our sin which is deserving of death. Because of sin, we are all doomed to eternal death.

            But God…God can and will bless us when we respond to our sin through repentance and faith. God promises to make things right for us in His time. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want a life that has been revolutionized. I desire a life full of hope and joy, but living in my sin will never bring me this type of life. Oh, sure, I can put on a great mask that appears I have everything together, but inside, sin is tearing me apart. God’s plan for our lives is to be free of sin and to be transformed. God wants to do more than change what we do; He wants to transform who we are. And as He changes our hearts and our habits, ultimately the way we live, begins to change, too.

            One thing we need to remember is God is not expecting perfection from us. He knows us intimately already and knows where we fall short. What He is asking of us it to become aware of our sinful nature and in faith, reach out to Him and His graceful love to help us grow in holiness. 1 John 1:9 shares, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (CSB). God's plan for our lives is not simply that we would be happy, successful, or comfortable. He wants us to become more like Jesus. That means He cares about the habits we develop, the thoughts we entertain, the words we speak, and the ways we treat others. When we allow Him to confront and change our sinful patterns, we are participating in His transforming work in us. We aren't changing ourselves to earn His love; we are learning to live in a way that reflects the love and grace we have already received through Christ.

            God’s not going to change His plan for our lives just because we repent. But He does want us to repent and let go of our sins so He can change us. “God never changes. His wrath is sure and fixed. His mercy is sure and fixed. The question is which one we will align ourselves under.” [2] The revolution I want in my life is to feel the true mercy and grace of a God who loves me and who has a perfect plan laid out for me. If I continue to sin and not have true repentance, I will never be able to attain a life full of hope, joy, and peace.

            A revolution in our lives doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen because we suddenly become strong enough to overcome every struggle. It begins when we invite God into the places we've kept resisting Him. It begins when we stop excusing our sinful habits, recognize the damage they cause, and take intentional steps toward change. A revolution in our lives doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen because we suddenly become strong enough to overcome every struggle. It begins when we invite God into the places we've kept resisting Him. It begins when we stop excusing our sinful habits, recognize the damage they cause, and take intentional steps toward change. One changed response, one honest confession, one moment of choosing grace over anger, or one decision to trust God instead of giving in to fear can become the beginning of something bigger. You don't have to change everything today. You simply have to be willing to let God begin.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us enough to help us change. Show us the sinful habits we have grown comfortable with, and give us the courage to surrender them to You. When we stumble, remind us of Your grace and help us begin again. Begin a revolution in our hearts that changes the way we live and love others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Challenge

One surrendered habit may seem small, but in God's hands, it can be the beginning of a life-changing revolution. What habit are you willing to surrender today to make room for the life God wants to grow in you?

[1] Richard D. Phillips, Jonah and Micah, reformed Expository Commentary, ed. Richard D. Philips and Philip G. Ryken (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2010), 109.

[2] Lydia Brownback, Flourish: Bible Study on Jonah (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 62