New Years Resolution

 

Every January, millions of people begin their year with New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight, getting organized, exercising more, eating healthier, and managing finances better are some of the most common resolutions. But what about making spiritual New Year’s resolutions?

We make commitments and tell our friends and family on January 1st, only to give it all up by January 3rd. But as humans, our struggle for consistency goes way beyond resolutions. Making commitments we can’t keep runs all through society, back to Biblical times. In the Bible, James spoke of some people who can teach us a valuable lesson about great intentions that aren’t aligned with God’s will: 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:13-17

Our plans may or may not be God’s plans. If we want to be successful with any New Year’s resolution, we must seek God’s will. By his strength we might lose weight, eat better, or become better stewards of our finances. What does God want for our lives? When he convicts, he also equips us to follow through with the plan. When we know we are following God’s plan, then we have more strength to stick to it, allowing him to work well beyond our normal January 3rdquitting date.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8

The farmer waits patiently for the Lord to bring the growth, but it doesn’t mean he sits on his porch doing nothing. The farmer works hard work, watering and weeding, repairing equipment, and completing all of the daily chores. When a farmer does what a farmer is supposed to do, God is able to do the things that only he can do. It’s not easy being patient.

Would the Lord be honored if our bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit) were in better shape? Would he be blessed if our financial affairs were in order? Is it possible that he would use us mightily if we serve in a ministry, or shared our faith? The answer to each of these questions is the same. Certainly the Lord can be in these things. However, committing to lose weight does not mean sitting on the couch with a bag of chips watching the Biggest Loser. Like the farmer, we must to do what we need to do, so that God can do what only he can do to produce results in our lives.

But, why is it that we only make resolutions about weight, exercise, and money?

God would be honored if we made spiritual resolutions. Read the Bible, get involved in ministry at church, share our faith with friends, make a step of faith that is so big that only God can make it happen. Resolve to represent him no matter what the cost.

Here are a few possible resolutions we might consider.

Seek God’s face, and pray David’s prayer every morning for the next year.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11

Let’s resolve to give our attitudes to the Lord. Commit to making a difference at home, in the workplace, the marketplace, on the roads, and even at church.

You could make this passage your resolution:

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15

Thomas Fuller, well-known preacher from England, understood how to be successful in our resolve. In the mid 1600’s Fuller made this statement:

Seek Him and His wonderful plan for your life. The two of you will make a great team—united in your determination to fulfill your destiny. A strong will, a settled purpose, an invincible 
determination can accomplish almost anything. — Thomas Fuller

The two of you make a great team! What an empowering statement. So often we think we are forging our path alone.  We live as though life is completely up to us. Yet, if we are “In Christ” we are part of a team.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Life is not always easy. Following through on simple commitments can even be difficult when bombarded by every day affairs. In addition, the attacks of the evil one will challenge us at every turn. Because of this, we offer this prayer on your behalf. 

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

What spiritual New Year’s resolutions will you make this year?