What sort of New Year ’ s Resolution should a Christian make ?
Question : “ What sort of New Year ’ s Resolution should a Christian make ?”
Answer : The practice of making New Year ’ s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians . There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning . In reality , there is no difference between December 31 and January 1 . Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31 . The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year ’ s resolutions . However , if a Christian determines to make a New Year ’ s resolution , what kind of resolution should he or she make ?
Common New Year ’ s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking , to stop drinking , to manage money more wisely , and to spend more time with family . By far , the most common New Year ’ s resolution is to lose weight , in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily . These are all good goals to set . However , 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective : “ 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 .” The vast majority of New Year ’ s resolutions , even among Christians , are in relation to physical things . This should not be .
Many Christians make New Year ’ s resolutions to pray more , to read the Bible every day , and to attend church more regularly . These are fantastic goals . However , these New Year ’ s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions , because there is no power in a New Year ’ s resolution . Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity . For example , why do you want to read the Bible every day ? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually , or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do ? Why do you want to lose weight ? Is it to honor God with your body , or is it for vanity , to honor yourself ?
Philippians 4:13 tells us , “ I can do everything through Him who gives me strength .” John 15:5 declares , “ 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 .” If God is the center of your New Year ’ s resolution , it has chance for success , depending on your commitment to it . If it is God ’ s will for something to be fulfilled , He will enable you to fulfill it . If a resolution is not God honoring and / or is not in agreement in God ’ s Word , we will not receive God ’ s help in fulfilling the resolution .
So , what sort of New Year ’ s resolution should a Christian make ? Here are some suggestions : ( 1 ) pray to the Lord for wisdom ( James 1:5 ) in regards to what resolutions , if any , He would have you make ; ( 2 ) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you ; ( 3 ) rely on God ’ s strength to help you ; ( 4 ) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you ; ( 5 ) don ’ t become discouraged with occasional failures ; instead , allow them to motivate you further ; ( 6 ) 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 .”
14 December Edition