To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Now that we are thoroughly in the new year, many have begun to meditate on their New Year’s resolutions. Weight loss, getting out of debt, vacationing more, being a better spouse or parent, reading the Bible more, all surely top many’s list of things they hope to achieve during this year. Resolutions can be a wonderful thing, they can cause one to refocus and accomplish goals that have been put on hold for far too long, or they can go unfulfilled like so many have in the years prior. I once heard a man say that Resolutions are like crying babies, only good if they are carried out. All jokes aside, this article is not written to discourage resolutions, for it is my great belief that as Christians we must constantly seek to live a resolved life. My goal in writing this is to pose the question, “What is the motivating factor behind your resolutions?”
Are you seeking to get back the looks you once had in college, save money for that brand new truck, get that promotion at work so you can finally have the paycheck you feel you deserve,or reading the Bible more to give you a better sense of security in being a “good person?” Now I am not saying that any of these things are necessarily bad, but in doing these, is God the motivation behind any of them? Are your resolutions acts of worship, ways to build His Kingdom, platforms to give Him Glory, or are they all about you and your glory? I am sure by now you are asking, “Well Blake, since you seem to know so much about this resolution thing, what should our resolutions be?” To which my answer is James 1:5, “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask God.” My goal is not to provide you with the perfect Christian resolution list, rather, it is to motivate you that when thinking on things to improve on this year, let “how does this bring glory to God” be at the forefront of your mind. How does it help me grow in Him, extend His Kingdom, or bring me to closer communion and fellowship with Him? And let us not just make that a New Year’s thing, but an every day thing! Striving to do all things to bring Him the glory that he so rightly deserves! You may say well I plan to pray more, well that is wonderful, but what do you plan on praying for. Let me ask you this, if God answered every prayer of yours this week, how many people would have been saved? What is happening here is not an attack on making resolutions, rather, striving to renew our minds by putting God at the forefront of every choice we make, as we plan to live a resolved life. Not resolved for ourselves, but resolved for Him and those who so desperately depend on our relationship with God, and in case you did not know, everyone within your sphere of influence is desperately affected by your relationship with God. As John Macarthur says, “You may be a the only Bible some will ever read.”
So with all this being said, I wish to leave you with resolutions made by someone I consider to be one of the greatest Christian influences in not only my life, but the life of many who experienced The Great Awakening in Colonial America, Mr. Jonathan Edwards. These are all quoted and can be found from Edwards’ list of 70 resolutions.
On Caring for others:
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do.
On Managing Time:
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year.
On Relationships:
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
On Life Overall:
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
May God keep you and bless you throughout this new year. May you come to a deeper knowledge of Him and a more intimate relationship with him, and may the greatest sermon you speak this year be the life that you live. We at Veterans to Christ love you and so deeply long for each of you to grow in God, and to see the fruits of working for His kingdom, as we have been so blessed to see through this platform!
