Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Year’s Day was just four or five days ago, and I suspect many resolutions already have been broken, especially those that had to take effect on Jan. 1 (for example, resolving to never have evil thoughts again).
“Always” and “never” always should be avoided and never used because statements or claims including them are seldom true unless you’re talking about God and his promises and attributes (James 1:17; Joshua 24:14; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 13:5-8; 1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Even taking evil thoughts captive to conquer them is an impossible task without God’s help (2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 7:14-25). Thank God for the forgiveness for those trying to live in fellowship with him because that’s when the blood of Jesus always and continually cleanses us of our sins (1 John 1:5-9).
But this article isn’t about “always” and “never”; it’s about resolutions. While it’s traditional to make resolutions on New Year’s Day, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions and whenever I do make a resolution, it’s open-ended.
For example, when I was in college, I decided to stop smoking, but I didn’t say I’d never smoke again. I did finally quit over 10 years later when our first child was on her way and even then, it wasn’t cold turkey. I had to have a strong enough motivation to actually fulfill the resolution.
There are some that should be made and fulfilled every day (like I won’t smoke today) because that’s how we’re to live life — one day at a time (Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:23; 14:27; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 6:1-2).
Our first daily resolution should be to strive toward the goal of the heavenward calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:10-16). Rather than wandering aimlessly (without a goal), we’re to throw off the sin that easily distracts and entangles and fix our eyes on Jesus who initiates and perfects our faith because we cannot attain any goal worth having on our own (Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 3:3). We should follow Jesus’ example and teaching in being resolute about this goal (Luke 13:32; 9:51, 62).
Another goal we should have is following Jesus’ example in doing all things to please God who loves us (John 3:16; 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Ephesians 5:8-10). To know what pleases God, we must be diligent (make it our goal) to correctly handle his word, which provides the guidance for living in fellowship with him (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:12-13; John 12:47-50).
So, if you haven’t already started and kept in the habit of personal Bible study, resolve to start today (at least don’t wait until Jan. 1, 2023). Then, we all should resolve to stand firm in the word and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord he’s prepared for us to do so our lives won’t be lived aimlessly or in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 2:10). Rather, we’ll be receiving the goal of our faith today, the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Happy New Year!
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].