New Year’s Resolutions

As New Year’s approaches, I catch myself taking the opportunity to take a good long look at this past year, and all of the things that have taken place in my life. I’ve learned through the past several years in recovery, to faithfully work an efficient program, a daily inventory as described in step ten is a necessity. There’s a big difference however in looking at my day, and looking at the entire year-both of which serve a great purpose and both are invaluable.

As I was driving home, contemplating decisions and new changes in the making, I came across a radio program that got my attention. The speaker made a few key points that caught my attention. What are the pros and cons of making new years resolutions? I think the very idea of a resolution, if based on Gods purpose for our life, can be very beneficial. You see, in trying to decide and hearing arguments for and against the making of new years resolutions I found myself agreeing with both sides and coming up with a simple conclusion. What is the basis for the resolution? Does the resolution focus on are those things which God determines are important to our relationship with Him and others? Rather than listening to the so-called “self-improvement gurus” that are a “dime-a-dozen” in our society – what Peter calls “false teachers” – it’s essential that we listen to God’s Word for the guidance and direction we need in our lives.
I believe the idea of bringing about change in one’s life, if centered on Gods will, can be healthy. In other words, I do believe in resolutions.  It drives us to be better. Which I think is also okay as long as we are not doing it thinking that somehow if we are better we can gain Gods favor or approval… that line of thinking denies Christ’s righteousness. We need to keep in mind that although we are never good enough to earn Gods grace or mercy He has already given it to us through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.  It’s in our nature to strive to succeed, however like most things I’ve learned these past few years, it’s a heart matter-a matter of motives. Why are we making these changes? Is it to fulfill a carnal self centered need of ours or to bring about the best version of God’s intention for us? Are we losing weight solely to look better or to instill discipline in our fleshly desires and to take better care of the temple God has given us? We can and should always try to improve who we are in Christ, keeping in mind that it is through Him and with His help that we can accomplish great things. If that wasn’t the case then there is no reason for us to be here. We would have made all these miraculous changes in our lives and the proof would be in the pudding so to speak. But that’s simply not the case. We always accomplish more and on a deeper level when we rely on God. The revelation comes from the letting go and trusting He loves us and will help us. He is just waiting for us to give up control and ask for His help and guidance in our lives.

Here are three resolutions that can help us in all areas of our life…

1.) Declare Christ’s lordship in our lives every day. That is a daily surrender. We talk about this all the time in recovery. To surrender to God’s will for our lives, knowing that in our own right we can and often will fail, but by trusting in Christ we will have victory. And by declaring his lordship daily, we are also reminded that we our essentially Gods property. Not our own.

It’s kind of like taking your car into the shop to have it realigned. We are a lot like this. We need daily “realignment” in our thoughts and attitudes.

And when we don’t, even the slightest bump slips the tires ever so slightly out of place and before we know it, the car doesn’t drive in the correct direction at all. That we can ask for daily calibration so to speak. It also keeps us humble, knowing that we really do need His help every single day. I like to think of it like this: we need to keep in mind that we are God’s property-how can He use us to help Him this day…instead of, what can He do for us this day.

2.) Repent everyday. I recently took a look at true repentance in my life. What is the difference between repentance and true repentance? The bottom line for this subject is to keep the change repentance brings in my heart constant and fresh every single day. Its not focusing on the behaviors or characteristics themselves, but focuses on the growing distaste for the sin we commit overall. I think one can bring about the other…true repentance being the goal. I think of David the man after Gods heart. I think he must’ve gotten this concept.  We know to repent of something is to do an about face, or turn 180 degrees-in the opposite direction, of the thing we are repenting of-namely-sin (it can be a behavior, a defect, it doesn’t matter really)-if it brings about sin, Learn to hate it to be a man/woman after Gods heart so to speak. True repentance for this purpose is to not only turn away from my sin and make the decision to not make the same mistake again, but also something a bit larger…. to make the change in my heart, by daily repentance…practice, practice, practice brings about changes.  Not only to not want to commit whatever sin, or behavioral characteristic, or defect it is I’m struggling with, but to want to hate the sin itself. To eventually get to the point that my heart will not just hate the consequences, but hate the act itself. See what I’m getting at. That kind of change of heart can only be beneficial. If the heart is changed the behaviors will follow. So…one…declare Jesus Christ as lord of my life every day…reminds me who’s boss, who’s in charge since I always try to run the show. Two…repent. Every day. Learn to hate the act of sin, not just the bad consequences it brings about.

3.) Re-believe the gospels on a daily basis. Get on our knees and spend time in prayer. Look to God’s Word to see the design He has for our lives. See the concession He had made for us through the life and death of His Son Jesus Christ. God wants us to run the good race not alone, but with Him by our side… its all spelled out in the gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John. How to live. It even shows us what to do when we mess up. Repent…change. He teaches us most importantly to share His love with others…to pay it forward…to carry this message on to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.

“For this reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and brotherly kindness, love.” (II Pet.1:5-7)

Peter is warning us against such false teachings and ideas in our reading for today. He reminds us that our faith in Christ and our knowledge of Him needs to be continually growing. Only God’s Word and Spirit can accomplish that in us. No amount of personal discipline, determination, or virtuous striving after “perfection” is going to accomplish that end. It’s also important to acknowledge that we are in need of continual growth in faith and faithful living – we never truly “arrive” at that destination this side of eternal life… Peter lays out the “virtues” of faith in Jesus very plainly. Goodness, knowledge about God’s Word and the world around us, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, all motivated and informed by God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for us in Christ. As we grow in faith, as we live in the power of Holy Spirit Baptism, and as we mature in our understanding of God’s Word, people will see Jesus in us and through us come to know Him as their Lord and Savior as well. If you want meaningful, God-pleasing “New Year’s Resolutions” you won’t find them anymore meaningful and purposeful than what God gives us in His Word.