“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” – Lamentations 3:40 ESV.
As I write this article on December 31, 2024, like most people I’m looking ahead to the new year. With the sense of a clean slate for the coming 12 months, I’m considering how I may do things differently or better than in the present year. Those improvements often take the form of resolutions, resolutions to lose weight or exercise, to manage finances better, or to do some other thing that has been neglected in the previous year.
The best resolutions are spiritual in nature and have a lasting impact. Life is a fragile thing and must be lived with eternity in mind. Earlier this morning I was watching a short video of notable people who have died in 2024. At the end of 2025, any one of us could be among the people who have stepped into eternity. Hebrews 9:27 says, “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” As you look toward the new year, what kind of spiritual legacy do you want to leave in the lives of the people closest to you? What kind of spiritual impact will you make? Are you ready for your own sake to step into eternity? Have you called upon Jesus to forgive you of your sins and give you new life? Does the life you live encourage others to live for Jesus, or does it discourage them from doing so?
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) has often been called America’s greatest theologian and philosopher, and the last Puritan. One of his most popular works is his “Resolutions.” There are 70 of them, and they are all spiritual in nature. Here are just a few. (They can be found in their entirety many places online, including www.jonathan-edwards.org/Resolutions)
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory,… Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
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.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
So, what spiritual resolutions have you made for 2025? Will you turn to Christ as your Savior from sin? Will you follow him in a specific new way? Will you live in a such a way that others will see Jesus in you? As the Apostle Paul says, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
With a shepherd’s heart,
Pastor David
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