Project Contempo Blog » 2009

As we celebrate the start of another New Year, many are indulged in making New Year’s resolutions. In this ‘ritual’ we make promises to ourselves to improve something in our lives. According to one source, the top 10 New Year’s resolutions include: 1. Spend more time with family and friends, 2. Get fitter, 3. Lose weight, 4. Quit smoking, 5. Enjoy life more, 6. Quit drinking, 7. Get out of debt, 8. Learn something new, 9. Help others, 10. Get organized. Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? Are any of them in this list? How long do they last?

I remember doing so some years ago, but found it to be an exercise in futility - I just couldn’t seem to get focused on them. I guess, as so many often put it, I just don’t have the necessary discipline to keep my promises to myself.
Certainly it’s not bad thing to make New Year’s resolutions. It’s good to consider the things we need to improve upon in our lives. The question is, “What kinds of resolutions should we make for ourselves, and what does God have to say about them for our lives?”

I found the following passage quite relevant. “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.” (2 Pet.1:5-7)

In this passage, Peter is warning us against false teachings and ideas. He is reminding 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 will never truly “arrive” at that destination on this side of eternal life.

Does this mean we shouldn’t make resolutions to “improve ourselves?” No, not at all. What it does mean is the resolutions that we want to make are those which focus on the things that God determines are important to our relationship with Him. 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.

If we consider our relationship with God to be the most important thing in our lives, shouldn’t we make sure that we include something about God in our resolutions? Surely, we can focus on growing in His grace and truth, maturing in faith in Christ, serving others in His name, etc. It’s so easy to get caught up in worldly virtues and resolutions which are self-serving and have no relationship to serving God and others in Jesus’ name.

Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? Because we love fresh starts, we like to know that even though we may have failed last year, we get to start over again this year. It is wonderful to know that God does forgive us when we fail Him, each other, and ourselves, and that we receive a fresh start and we don’t have to wait until next year.

So, what resolutions are you going to make this New Year? May I suggest that you include one about your relationship with God!

Have a blessed New Year!

Bill Wong on the West Coast

January 2009

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