Letting Go of Good to Gain God

Resolutions are common, but behavior tweaks alone rarely last. The call is to trade modification for transformation by the gospel. Philippians 3:5-11 reframes value: what once seemed impressive—heritage, performance, reputation—is “garbage” compared to knowing Christ. The point is not to learn more facts about Jesus but to be remade by him. Transformation comes as hearts yield to his Word and the Holy Spirit reshapes identity and desire.

The contrast between “good” and “God” runs through the whole theme. Many carry into a new year the same struggles because they never release what God asked them to leave—sometimes not sinful things, but “good” things that compete with him. Like Paul, the invitation is to let go of identities, wins, and comforts that once defined success if they now dull intimacy. Eyes belong in the front of the head for a reason; fixation on yesterday steals sight of promise today. Joshua heard God say, “See”—not as hype, but as holy reminder that old promises still stand if faith keeps looking forward. God’s promises are yes in Christ, but possession requires vision, trust, and movement.

This is a year to ask hard questions: It might be good—but is it God? Good jobs, good friends, and good opportunities can quietly become substitutes for dependence. Honoring the past is right; worshiping it is ruinous. Jesus’ way is seek first the kingdom, then trust provision. That trust is active. Ephesians 3:20 is not a couch; it’s a partnership—God’s power works within as obedience steps forward. The goal is not loss for loss’ sake, but gain: real fellowship with Christ, resurrection life over religious routine, power over position, faith over self-righteousness. Leaving good can feel like loss at first; in Jesus, it becomes freedom.

As True North Church steps into 2026, the direction is clear: forward, not back; intimacy, not information; God’s best, not comfortable good. Keep eyes on Christ in the storm. Clean the closet of what no longer fits the calling. Refuse to settle in “good” deserts when God has promised a land to possess. Seek him, obey him, and expect him to do abundantly more—for his glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Trade resolutions for transformation Behavior modification can polish the surface, but it cannot create new life. The gospel aims deeper—reordering loves, healing motives, and forming Christ’s likeness. Let Scripture and the Spirit search places goals can’t touch. Seek change that alters identity, not just routines. [05:24]
• 2. Release identities that replace intimacy Spiritual resumes can become rivals to real relationship with Jesus. When past wins or reputations anchor worth, they subtly shift trust away from Christ. Lay down what once defined you if it now dulls your dependence on him. Intimacy is worth more than image. [12:02]
• 3. Choose God over merely good “Good” opportunities can become golden calves when they keep hearts from God’s best. Honor the gifts, but refuse to be governed by them. The narrow path often requires leaving even positive comforts to follow a clearer call. Ask honestly: is it good—or is it God? [21:24]
• 4. Look forward to seize promises Faith needs forward vision; fixation on yesterday blinds the heart to today’s promise. God’s “See” to Joshua was a call to possession, not nostalgia. Promises still stand in Christ, but they are grasped by those who keep their eyes ahead and their steps obedient. [17:26]
• 5. Obey while God’s power works within Ephesians 3:20 is not passive; divine power meets faithful action. Do what you can—seek, ask, knock—while trusting God to do what you cannot. This partnership turns sacrifice into freedom and scarcity into abundance of grace, peace, and fruitfulness. [27:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - New Year resolutions and honesty
• [05:24] - From modification to transformation
• [06:57] - Keeping eyes on Jesus in storms
• [08:22] - Leaving behind even good things
• [10:26] - Let go of what once defined you
• [12:02] - When identity replaces intimacy
• [14:08] - Eyes-forward illustration
• [16:12] - Joshua’s “See” and promised land
• [18:53] - Promises fulfilled in Christ
• [21:24] - Choose God over good
• [27:11] - Partnership: our action, His power
• [29:00] - Knowing Christ, not just rituals
• [38:26] - It might be good, is it God?
• [39:12] - Prayer and faith-filled sendoff

1. In Philippians 3:5-6, what specific things did Paul list on his spiritual “resume”? How do those items show heritage, performance, passion, and reputation?
2. According to Philippians 3:7-8, what strong words does Paul use to compare his “gains” with the value of knowing Christ? What does that choice of words tell us?
3. What everyday picture was used to show why God wants us looking forward and not backward? Quote the key line: “God gave us eyes to move forward, not to go sideways or backwards.” [15:08]
4. What repeated challenge calls us to test even good things in our lives? Say it out loud as a group: “It might be good, but is it God?” [38:26]

1. When Paul “counts as loss” the things that once defined him (Philippians 3:7-9), what shift is he making in identity and trust? How would that change what a person chases, celebrates, or feels secure about?
2. “What once gave him identity now had the potential to replace intimacy.” How does that happen in real life—good gifts and wins slowly taking the place of dependence on Jesus? What warning signs would show that intimacy is being dulled? [12:02]
3. God’s “See” to Joshua was a call to possess, not to be nostalgic. What helps a believer keep forward vision alive so they can step into promises, rather than stare in the rearview? “If you can see it, you can possess it.” [17:26]
4. “All glory to God who is able through his mighty power at work within us.” How do divine power and human obedience fit together without becoming either passive or performance-based? [27:11]

1. Trade modification for transformation: Where have behavior tweaks failed you before (health, habits, screens, talk)? What would it look like this week to invite the Word and the Holy Spirit to go deeper—beyond routines and into motives? “He wants us to make resolutions that focus on transformation.” [05:24]
2. Release identities that replace intimacy: What piece of your “resume” (job title, reputation, spiritual track record, success) most tempts you to lean on it for worth? What would it mean to “count it as loss” so you can gain closeness with Jesus? “What once gave him identity now had the potential to replace intimacy.” [12:02]
3. Choose God over merely good: Name one “good” thing (opportunity, friendship, purchase, plan) that might be competing with God’s best. What honest next step of release or reordering might be needed? “It might be good, but is it God?” [24:38]
4. Eyes forward: Where are you most tempted to live in the past—old hurts, old wins, old labels? What simple practice will help you keep eyes ahead (daily Scripture first, a weekly fast from nostalgia loops, a “forward-only” journal)? “God gave us eyes to move forward, not to go sideways or backwards.” [15:08]
5. Partnership, not passivity: What is one clear act of obedience you can take this week while trusting God for what you cannot do (apply, apologize, serve, start, stop)? Pray it by name and put it on the calendar. “Through his mighty power at work within us.” [27:11]
6. Clean the closet: What needs to be cleared from your schedule, space, or budget because it “no longer fits” your calling in this season? Be specific and pick a date to act. “Our goal is not to go backwards, it’s to move forward.” [31:45]
7. See the promise again: What promise from God have you stopped looking at because of delay or discouragement? How will you “see” it this week—write it, pray it, share it—and what small step will you take toward it? “If you can see it, you can possess it.” [17:26]