Around the New Year I always like to look at resolutions that people have made. When I opened my web browser I noticed a little statement that said; “For discovering the best bakeries before 2015 resolutions, there’s the Google app.” I guess even Google knows what resolutions people are going to make this year. I have never been one for making resolutions and likely never will. I can’t remember a time when I made one that I actually kept. But it’s the normal routine for many people. They make this declaration of something they will or will not do in the coming year. Last year I made a resolution to learn to play the piano. I’m 361 days in. I’ve got time.
It happens so often. We make this statement and it’s not long before we’ve either forgotten what we resolved to do or we just gave it up. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve read or heard people say that they are going to go to church more. A few of us were talking about this at the Christmas party. If everyone who has ever said to me that they are going to start coming to church then our pews would be overflowing. Not following through seems to be an epidemic, and let me be the first to tell you that I am guilty of it as well.
The word resolute means admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. So when we make a resolution, we are declaring something that we purpose, we’re determined to complete, and despite all that happens we do not waver from that goal. We understand the definition. I don’t believe the definition is the problem, though. I believe it’s the object of our resolution. For example, I am not really interested in going on a diet. I know that it would be good for me, but I’m not interested in it. I want to know year round where the best bakeries are. I want to know where I can find a donut shop.
So for that reason I believe we should resolve to be better, or do better, in the areas of life that matter the most to us. It might be something with your family. Perhaps it’s something related to work or maybe the church. But I believe we all could do and do more when it comes to the Lord’s Work. Don’t misquote me here and think I’m saying we are doing a poor job. But I believe that there is always more we can do and more we should do. As the body of Christ, we must work together to promote the Head – to reach others for the Lord – to share the good news and the hope that we find in Jesus Christ.
This is what I believe we should all resolve to do more of this coming year. I’ve said many times that one of the best things about the New Year is that it’s new. We love new things. New things are fresh. New things are exciting. But one thing that I have noticed about “new” is that it shows progress. Our church experienced some new things. We got new stained-glass windows and new flooring for our fellowship hall. We got a new storage building outside. Many people will just see these things as needed cosmetic changes; I see them as improvements and progress. I believe a healthy church is one that can make improvements.
Recently Amy (my wife) was able to trade in her old car for a newer model. She did have a 2011 Nissan Rogue, but traded it in for a 2015 model. Her old one had about 53,000 miles on it and it was the perfect time to trade up. The car she got has amenities that I never thought were necessary. I didn’t think a backup camera was a big deal, but I love it now. I never really cared much for Bluetooth accessibility, but I have to admit it’s pretty nice. And heated seats? It’s probably my favorite thing about that car.
Just think, we have a new year. We have a new year that is likely filled with new opportunities, new exciting things, but understandably so there is a fear of new troubles, new heartaches, and new circumstances. Many people will enter into this new year with relief to put the old one behind them, but fearful for what may lay ahead. And truthfully I can’t really blame anyone for feeling that way. I keep seeing this trend on Facebook about this “my year” thing. I haven’t done it because unlike most of the people on there I don’t post my life on facebook. But it’s an interesting tool. It’s kind of like “My year in review.” It’s a way to look back at 2014. Some will miss it. Others may be glad it’s gone.
The New Year brings a whole list of things that are unknown and the unknown can be a frightening thing. I think it’s for this reason that making and keeping resolutions are so difficult. We have these great intentions to start the year and then the year happens; life happens. Life happens and we slip up, we fail, we give up. I want to help you. I want to give you three resolutions for the year 2015. These three are really not that hard to keep, and if we keep them, I really believe no matter what we’ll have a blessed year.
First, Develop an admirably purposeful faith in Jesus Christ. There are two words here I want to look at. Let’s start with purposeful. If we were to take the Facebook model and take an inventory of our lives, how would we describe it? Contented? Joyful? Blessed? Stressed? Moving forward? Stepping back? For many of us it would probably be a mix of those words. There are things in life that excite us but also things that weigh us down. Jesus Christ said that he came to make all things new! What would your life be like if you were given a chance to start over?
The need for the “new” began many years ago. We’re told in the creation story that God put together this wonderful, perfect, and orderly world. He created two beings to dwell within it who were completely and totally innocent, so much so that they didn’t even notice that they were naked. But it didn’t stay that way. They chose to turn away from God. Sin entered the world. Regret. Shame. Mankind was no longer blameless. But God still loved his creation that he instigated something new. It was a new way to escape the bonds of sin, the pain of regret and shame. It was through the giving of his Son, Jesus Christ.
God not only wants to be a part of the lives of his creation – he wants to have an active role in the direction. He wants to be the guide. He wants to be the keeper of our feet. When Jesus washed his disciple’s feet, he did so because he knew where these feet were going to go. In like manner, when God washed us by the blood of his Son He knew where we would go. He gave us His Spirit to guide and direct our steps. He did this so that the unknown wouldn’t be so “unknown.”
I mentioned earlier that the unknown can be a frightening thing. But who better to place our trust and faith in than the omniscient God. I, for one, am less inclined to be frightened of the unknown when I know that God holds the future. He knows each heartache. He knows every bump in the road. He knows every curse that I will endure this coming year. He won’t allow any of these unknown trials to overpower me. And in each and every single one he’s provided more of himself to get me through it. He does this for all his children – For all that have placed their faith in him. He does this for us because he loves his creation.
It’s as if God has taken an inventory of my future. He doesn’t care about the past. If it’s been forgiven it’s been forgotten. He’s looking at my future in review. And at each turn and bump God says, “Jeremy will strength, here. Jeremy will need courage, here. Jeremy will need forgiveness, here.” And by each one he’ll put a little asterisk by it that will give the only requirement, “If he asks for it.” I don’t believe God will save people that don’t want to be saved. I also believe God won’t bless people that don’t want to be blessed. God has already provided the strength, courage, and forgiveness; it’s up to you and me to ask him and trust him.
Let’s spend a little time on the word admirable. I am reminded of what the Hebrew writer said, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…” (12:1; NIV). The word “therefore” connects these verses to the previous 11 chapters. And if you look back just one verse prior you’ll find these words, “since God has planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” That something better is the New Convenant with Jesus Christ. The forefathers did not receive this “something better.” It is experienced by those who live after the death and resurrections of Christ – for through him we have the “new.”
But I don’t want to chase that rabbit. After hearing the roll call of faithful believers throughout the centuries, illustrating true faith (chapter 11), the readers are challenged to also persevere in their faith. This picture in Hebrews uses the athletic imagery of a Greek amphitheater that has rows and rows of spectators. They do not witness as if they are just spectators, they witness through the record of their faithfulness that encourages those who follow them. We do not struggle alone and we are not the first to struggle with problems.
Our faith amidst the trials, problems, and struggles of life can inspire others to either stand firm in their faith or place their faith in Christ. We are surrounded by witnesses of other believers as well as nonbelievers and each side looks to professing Christians during these moments in life. If we can stand firm in the faith it just may send a message stronger and greater than any word we could offer.
Secondly, Be determined in the Lord’s Work. Let’s take a look at Paul’s words. Because of the promises he mentioned, the future resurrections, living eternally in the Kingdom, new bodies, we have motivation and responsibilities for life right now. Our time on earth is very valuable. In reality, we don’t have a whole lot of time. But we do have much work to do for the future kingdom. Others must be invited to join in and believers must be taught to grow in the Lord. In my preparation I came across this article that answered the question, “why are so many people young people falling away from the faith?”
Let me read to you a section of it. “Two studies conducted by both the Barna Group and USA Today, found that nearly 75 percent of Christian young people leave the church after high school. One of the key reasons they do so is intellectual skepticism. This is a result of our youth not being taught the Bible in their homes or in church. Statistics show that our kids today spend an average of 30 hours per week in public schools where they are being taught ideas that are diametrically opposed to biblical truths, e.g., evolution, the acceptance of homosexuality, etc. Then they come home to another 30 hours per week in front of a TV bombarded by lewd commercials and raunchy sitcoms or “connecting” with friends on Facebook, staying online for hours, chatting with one another, or playing games. Whereas the time spent weekly in the church Bible classroom is 45 minutes. It’s no wonder that our young people leave the home without a Christian worldview. Not only are they not being well-grounded in the faith, but they’re also not being taught to intelligently examine the views of the skeptics who will inevitably challenge their faith. Most of these students are not prepared to enter the college classroom where more than half of all college professors view Christians with hostility and take every opportunity to belittle them and their faith.”
The work of the Lord is to instruct, disciple, others to also do the work of the Lord. Believers, of all ages, must be taught to grow in the Lord. Because of the promise of the future, life is not meant to be spent as a self-indulgent party, where people “eat, drink, and be merry.” Every job done for the Lord is not in vain. It’s not a fruitless exercise that ends in death. Work in the Lord will result in taking part in the great promises and rewards of God’s kingdom. We should be determined to excel in the work of the Lord because of the great reward that awaits us.
Lastly, Have an unwavering, immovable trust in God. Because of these great promises Paul laid out for us, believers should be steadfast in their faith, not wavering or doubting. We should be immovable, not listening to the whims of false teachers, but standing firm in the truth of God. Christians today, of all ages, must be better equipped in knowing why they believe the claims of Christianity. This isn’t just for ourselves, but for others who may enquire about our faith. We can’t truly express the truths of the Bible when our faith is being tossed from side to side by every “hyped-up” thought. We need to be prepared intellectually to face any challenging questions that come our way.
Let me close with a reading from Psalm 62; “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
This new year, resolve to have an admirable purposeful faith in God, determined to do the Lord’s work with an unwavering, immovable trust in Him, regardless of what 2015 throws us. God is still God.
