Resolutions

I have been thinking about New Year's resolutions for a while, for the obvious reason that it is that time of year. But I have never been one to really make resolutions for the new year, because it has become a trite cliche, that really means nothing anyway. Plus, the resolutions that people usually make are merely outward things like exercising, eating healthier, or quitting smoking. While there is nothing wrong with resolving to get healthier and stop bad habits, the tradition of doing it for the new year is just an excuse to procrastinate doing it. They should start quitting in June when they thought they should, but instead they put it off so that they can psych themselves up for the task.

With that being said, I also have to take notice of the practice of many in church history to make resolutions. Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield both regularly made resolutions to do certain things, or take on or put off certain behaviors. This leads me to think of course that there is something to resolutions. Now there is no indication that these men made resolutions at new years of course, in fact the indication is that they made these resolutions are far more regular basis.

But when you think about it, it really does make sense to make resolutions at the end of the year. It's perhaps the best time to take stock of your life and consider how you need to improve and reform yourself. It's not the only time for sure, but it does make sense to take advantage of a natural time like the end of year to make some resolutions. They may be some of those physical outward things like getting healthy, but for the Christian, I don't think our resolutions should stop there.

The resolutions of the Christian should regard the spiritual disciplines. We should take stock of our spiritual lives and see if there are things we are neglecting to do as followers of Christ. Are we taking the time to read our bibles and pray every day? Are we sharing our faith with others? These are some of the questions we need to ask and the things we need to resolve to be more faithful in. The need for obedience in the Christian life is essential. Obedience comes through an affection for the Lord, and being resolved to be obedient to His command for our lives.

I know that New Year's resolutions are often times thought of in a bad light, but don't dismiss them too quickly. Take time to think about what in your walk with Christ could be improved, how you could be more like Jesus. The reality is that we all need to be resolved to follow Christ; if we're not, we won't follow Him. If we are not following Jesus then who or what are we following? Resolve yourself this year to be growing in maturity, being transformed into the likeness of Him, who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light,