Seven Resolutions For The New Year

Some will tell you shouldn’t make New Year’s resolutions. They say you can’t keep them and you shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep. But resolutions are not promises so much as they are attempts to correct oversights or failures from the previous year. In fact, we should always be about the business of examining and correcting ourselves, not just yearly, though that is a start, but constantly, every day, every hour (II Cor. 13:5). The following are some areas in which we can always improve our Christian life.

First, we ought to resolve to grow more spiritually this year than last. The apostle Peter wrote, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (II Peter 3:18). We should never become complacent about our service to the Lord. As a congregation, as individuals, as families we should renew our efforts to improve our spiritual service.

Second, we ought to resolve to increase our faith. Some are of the opinion that faith is a gift, that it is not something over which we have any control. But that was not the view of the apostles. “Increase our faith” was the plea of the apostles to the Lord (Luke 17:5). If the apostles realized their need for increased faith, surely we also need to increase ours.

Third, we ought to resolve to be more conscience of winning souls. The wise man said, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). Jesus charged His apostles with the Great Commission, and us through them, to take the gospel to the world. Can we improve on our efforts from last year? We should certainly try! The eternal destiny of precious souls are at stake!

Fourth, we ought to resolve to do our best to gain control of our weaknesses. John said, “My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not” (I John 2:1). We live in a day when every impulse is indulged, every whim satisfied. Unfortunately, this culture has carried over into the church in many areas. But we must live our lives so as not to allow sin to reign in our mortal bodies (Rom. 6:12).

Fifth, we ought to resolve to take a stand for the Lord and His cause. There comes a time in our lives when it is not enough simply to believe on the Lord and quietly follow. Sometimes you have to lift up your voice and speak out and take action. Paul said, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Some will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and turn away from the truth, but it is then that we must reprove, rebuke and exhort (II Tim. 4:1-4).

Sixth, we ought to resolve to be better Bible students. Jesus said “Search the scriptures…” (John 5:39). Paul commanded us to “study, to shew ourselves approved unto God” (II Tim. 2:15). Hosea, speaking for God, said “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God, it is profitable to make us throughly furnished unto all good works (II Tim. 3:16,17).

Finally, we ought to be more conscious of the promise of the Lord’s return. One day, the Lord has promised, we will stand before His throne in judgement and we will receive the reward for our labors (Matt. 25:31ff). We don’t often think of this but we should and it should motivate us to greater faithfulness and service (II Pet. 3:11). To some it will be the beginning of eternity in Hell, but to others, those who follow His will, it will be the dawn of an eternal, glorious day.

May the Lord bless you with greater spiritual success and wealth in the coming year.

Eric L. Padgett