Concerning New Years Resolutions

Concerning New Year’s Resolutions
Larry d. Wright

Every January people make New Year’s resolutions with the most sincere intentions of keeping them. Statistics indicate that failure happens a lot more often than success. Resolutions generally rally around health issues like diet, exercise, stop smoking, etc. The problem with most New Years resolutions is that they are long on reason and short on resolve.

Allow me to take resolutions to a higher level. COMMIT YOURSELF TO FORGET YOUR FAILURES! Over 2000 years ago one the first Christian leaders, a man named Paul, gave this advice, “Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) That advice from God’s Word has stood the test of time. I don’t know of any more relevant and practical advice than this; do not live your life imprisoned by your past. Commit yourself to forget your past failures. You cannot do this alone. You will need supernatural help so make the commitment, then ask for divine help.

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GIVE UP YOUR GRUDGES. Again, Paul exhorts us, “Bear with each other and forgive each other whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13) If you think sticking to a diet is hard, try this one! A grudge is a deep ongoing resentment that is cultivated in the heart against someone else. A grudge is an unforgiving spirit that leads to unforgiving attitudes and unforgiving actions. Grudges are dangerous because they are destructive. They destroy marriages, break up families, ruin friendships, split and paralyze churches. One of the scandals of the modern day church is the grudges that Christians hold against one another. Before you tell God you can’t forgive, understand what you really mean when you say that is that you won’t forgive. If Christ can forgive you your sin despite it involving the pain of the cross then surely you can give up your grievance whatever the cost!

COMMIT YOURSELF TO RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. Every time I turn on my computer a little windows pops up that asks if I want to run a check to see if my programs are all working properly. God’s Word issues a very similar invitation. It is the invitation to check whether our personal relationships are working properly. Here is how the Lord issues that challenge in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” COMMIT YOURSELF TO TURN YOUR BACK ON YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS. The message of the gospel is this, Christ died to set us free, the Holy Spirit has given us the power to be free, but we must choose to be His servant. “Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to its lustful desires … we are no longer slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:2)
Will this New Year be just a calendar changing event for you or are you willing to rise to these challenges from God’s word and make these commitments and so make it a life changing event?