A Covenant Renewal
 At New Years we often
make resolutions to do
better in the coming year.
The early Methodists also
believed the New Year to
be a time of renewal and
made hope-filled promises
to God. The following is
part of a Covenant Renewal
Service that was written
by John Wesley; it was to
be conducted annually on
New Year’s Eve. It is a call
to re-commit our lives to
Jesus Christ and to begin
the New Year committed
to serving God. Here is
the invitation:
“Commit yourselves to
Christ as his servants. Give
yourselves to him, that you
may belong to him. Christ
has many services to be
done. Some are more easy
and honorable; others are
more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to
our inclinations and interests,
others are contrary
to both. In some we may
please Christ and please
ourselves. But then there
are other works where
we cannot please Christ
except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary,
therefore, that we consider
what it means to be a
servant of Christ.
“Let us, therefore, go to
Christ, and pray:
Let me be your servant,
under your command. I
will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your
will in all things. Be satisfied
that Christ shall give
you your place and work.
Lord, make me what you
will. I put myself fully
into your hands: put me
to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed
for you, or laid aside for
you, let me be full, let me
be empty, let me have all
things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a
willing heart give it all to
your pleasure and disposal.
Christ will be the Savior of
none but his servants.“He is the source of all salvation
to those who obey.
Christ will have no servants
except by consent; Christ
will not accept anything
except full consent to all
that he requires. Christ
will be all in all, or he will
be nothing. Confirm this
by a holy covenant.
“To make this covenant a
reality in your life, listen to
these admonitions:
First, set apart some time,
more than once, to be
spent alone before the
Lord; in seeking earnestly
God's special assistance
and gracious acceptance of
you; in carefully thinking
through all the conditions
of the covenant; in searching
your hearts whether
you have already freely
given your life to Christ.
Consider what your sins
are. Consider the laws of
Christ, how holy, strict,
and spiritual they are, and
whether you, after having
carefully considered them,
are willing to choose them
all. Be sure you are clear in
these matters; see that you
do not lie to God.
“Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.”
“Third, claim God's covenant, rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power. “
“Fourth, resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. With God's power, never go back.”
“And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord. Fall on your knees; lift your hands toward heaven, and open your heart to the Lord, as you pray.”
What followed this invitation was a prayer of confession and dedication. I encourage you at the beginning of this New Year to make your own confession before the Lord, and then recommit your life to God by praying the above prayer. Remember, this is the God who has redeemed you, the God who loves you, the God who has called you to make a difference and the God who is with you now.
Rev. Tim |
