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There is no difference between December 31st and
January 1st but there is something about the start of
a New Year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new
beginning. I don't think there is a difference between December 31st and
January 1st. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31st. 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: to quit smoking, to stop drinking,
to manage money better, and 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 healthier. 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 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
John 15:5 “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.
Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5)
in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make.
Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you.
Rely
on God’s strength to help you.
Find an accountability partner who
will help you and encourage you.
Don’t become discouraged with
occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further.
Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. “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.” Psalm 37:5-6,
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