New Year’s Resolution
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John 15:5; Philippians 4:13
At the start of every new year, it never fails…. I always feel more pressure to share something significant. And this time, the pressure seems to even be stronger than it’s ever been! All week it felt like a flood ready to burst out! Then the Spirit of God reminds me to just do what I can and He’ll do the rest. Good deal! I like that because I don’t seem to respond to pressure as well as I did before. I’m sure it’s due to chemical changes in my body that’s getting up there in years.
As I start, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve shared before. I’m reminded of a notable phrase from the TV movie “The Day, The Earth Stood Still”: “At the precipice, we change”. Meaning “at the brink”; faced with a dangerous situation we are more willing to concede ….. to do just about anything – even things we resolved we wouldn’t do.”
I find this as an excellent segue into a topic that I think is still early enough to explore: New Year’s Resolutions.
Naturally, the New Year always gives us the feeling of a fresh start…a new beginning. Actually, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31st. Yet many re-engage in formulating their New Year’s Resolutions – almost as a ritual. We attempt to have them because there is an inherent desire in each of us to change……. and for the better, mind you! Who wants to resolve to be worse? We want to progress, not regress!
The Bible does not really provide specifics on the concept of New Year’s resolutions. But if we, as Christians determine to make New Year’s resolutions, aren’t you curious to know what kind we should make? As you may have guessed, the most common New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money better, spend more time with family and be more discreet about relationship choices. All good goals! And the Bible provides valuable principles on each.
But by far the most popular New Year’s resolution is to lose weight along with exercising more and eating healthier. (Just so you know, I’m getting clobbered here!) On the exercise issue, the Bible offers spiritual perspective in 1Timothy 4:8 It says, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Translation: spiritual exercise, as opposed to physical has longer lasting effect – even eternal value! Yet, the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. I theory, you’d agree that this simply shouldn’t be! Our priorities are somehow skewed! We should definitely value spiritual things more than the physical! Some may say, Pastor, we shouldn’t really spiritualize everything. Shouldn’t we?
I think the reason there are no signs of victory in many Christians’ lives – the reason many are not overcoming is because they have not been intentionally “spiritualizing” things enough! They play in the environment of the world and by the rules of the world. They live their lives by the world’s standards and they wonder why they have become “worldly” in their ways and have gotten so used to it!
Paul, in Ephesians 6 starting with verse 10 puts it in heavy spiritual perspective: “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…..
Then in succeeding verses he puts emphasis on prayer! 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly, to find more ways to serve Jesus. These are laudable goals! The only problem is, these resolutions fail just as often as the “non-spiritual” ones! And it goes back to what I just said! The reason is there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing something has no value unless you have the right motivation for stopping or starting that activity.
For instance, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do – or because you desire to honor God and grow spiritually?
Here’s one that’s close many hearts as it is to mine: Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to feel good about yourself when you look in the mirror? Noble idea but still self-motivated! Or could it be because you’ve arrived at that “precipice” I was talking about? Your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels are through the roof – you’ve got to do it!
Or is it to honor God with your body?
In Philippians 4:13, Paul tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Jesus declares in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Strong, decisive, unapologetic statement!
But often, we consider that on the “extreme” side. The reality is, if God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, and you align your desire with His, He will make it happen for you! On the other hand, if a resolution is not God honoring or not in agreement with God’s Word, chances are we may not get any help from Him in fulfilling it. That means we could be left to depend on our own resolve. And I don’t know about you, but my track record falls right down there where the stats are….in the “promises are made to be broken” category!
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should we as Christians make? Here are some suggestions:
Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5)
- Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you.
- Rely on God’s strength to help you.
- Find an accountability partner who will help and encourage you.
- Don’t be discouraged with occasional failures- instead allow them to motivate you further.
- Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
