Resolutions

Just a few years ago, I was one of those people who stopped making New Year's resolutions, because so often I found that I lacked the will or desire to carry them through. But, what does such an admission say about my character. Some would say it says that I am human; its silly to think that just because it is a new year that things will be any different. Yet, as I analyzed my resolution against resolutions, I began to see something I didn't like. What does it say about me that I can make a commitment, and not keep it? Or worse, what does it say about me when I am unwilling to make new commitments, because I know I won't keep them? What does it say about me, when I live in direct violation to the scriptural call to disciplined living?

I am not saying that there is not something wrong with the way we do resolutions. Usually, they are the same type of generalized, half-hazard, dreamy, substanceless commitments that are easily discarded. You know what I mean. We resolve to lose twenty, thirty, or more pounds or join a gym, or make a list of fifty books to read, or find some recess of our home to clean out. The problem with these resolutions are that they lack the ability in and of themselves to bring about the desired change. Wanting to lose weight will not make weight fall off (believe me I know). Weight loss takes forethought, determination, planning, hard work, accountability, diligence, and maintainance. My parents taught me that anything worth having is worth working for. Although I have to admit that I didn't always believe that. I believed the lie of instant gratification--buy now, pay later. The Bible paints a different picture--believe now, receive later. The promises are ours in Christ Jesus, but we do not yet fully possess them.

The next problem with our resolutions is that they are often divorced from a biblical worldview. That is to say, we make our resolutions without asking God what he would have us resolve to do. We make plans as if we were the masters of our destiny (see James 4:13-17), when we should be asking the Master of our destiny what he wants us to do and to be. Two passages come to mind, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification . . ." (1 Thes. 4:3, see 4:1-12), and "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17; see 17:6-19). In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Paul informs his reader that God has called them to godly living, and will be pleased with nothing less. In John 17:6-19, Jesus is praying to the Father about the process of setting his people apart from the world in which they live. It is a process begun by his work of atonement, bringing life to those who believe the gospel and obey the word.

I am suggesting that we resolve to seek God's face, to search is his Word for guidance, and to ask him what would he have us to be. I am suggesting that we pray that God makes us the kind of people who live the disciplined life. I am suggesting that we make both long term and short term resolutions. I am speaking of prayerful planning that has sought the Spirit's assistance and enabling. We don't need more lists of things we aren't going to do. Yes, we need to make plans that are beyond our ability, although not beyond all possibility. There is a difference between planning to read your Bible everyday and planning to orbit the earth in a home made rocket. Almost any body can achieve the first, but the second takes a lot of money and at least some training. We need resolutions that will stretch us beyond our strengths, beyond our comfort zone, and beyond our ability. We need resolutions that will force us to lean upon the Lord to bring about their success. When success comes through these types of resolutions, God gets the glory and we grow in knowledge and maturity. If you are a "Resolution Quitter," I hope you will reconsider. Here are some suggested resolutions that will help you achieve God's will for your life--your sanctification:

1. Resolve to have a daily quiet time or to read Scripture daily.

There are many plans available. Justin Taylor has a post with a link to ten different plans. His article and the reading plans are valuable. He lists a few of the options he found helpful. These are excellent tools to help drive you daily reading, so why not pick one and get started. These reading plans break down the seemingly enormous task of reading through the Bible in a year, into between 300 and 365 easily acheived readings. Don't try to read through the Bible this year, get a plan and do it.

2. Resolve to memorize Scripture.

Dr. Jim Hamilton has a great post on the subject here. He also posts this link for verses to memorize each week. Use the version you prefer. I know that many of you feel that you cannot memorize Scripture. But let me ask you a few questions to test your memory. What was the last name of you third grade teacher? Think of someone you call frequently. What is their number? What is your zip code? Who was the 1st President of the U. S.? I am not saying the Scripture memorization is going to be easy. I am saying that it is necessary. We need it. If a verse or two is too much for you, focus on that verse or two for two weeks or a month. Keep at it and eventually some of it will stick.

3. Resolve to have a daily family altar time.

Family altar time is a time of family worship, with songs, prayer, Scripture reading, etc. It is especially important for families with children in the home, but is very helpful for couples as well. This time brings the family together in worship. It unites them around something greater than family tradition; it unites them in worship to the Lord. Terry L. Johnson, has written an excellent resource, the Family Worship Book (see the What I Am Reading List for a link). The book is written for Presbyterians, but has a lot of material that is helpful to any Christian family. In chapter five he gives a sample outline for family worship: 1) Call to worship/prayer of praise, 2) hymns/psalms, 3) reciting creeds and commandments (alternately), 4) Scripture reading, 5) prayers of confession and intercession, 6) ascriptions of praise, and 7) a benediction (Aaronic: Num. 6:24-26 or Apostolic: 2 Cor. 13:14). Daily worship as a family is important. Daily worship is also the pattern we see in Acts.

4. Resolve to share the gospel this year.

Think of a list of 10 people who you know personally that are lost. If you don't know 10 lost people, begin by asking the Lord to introduce you to lost people. Pray daily for the people on your list. Ask God to open their eyes to their lostness, to their need of salvation, and to the truth of Christ. Ask him to give you boldness to speak to them of their need and that he would allow you to speak the gospel with love and clarity. Trust the Spirit to convict them of sin and righteousness. Learn the essentials of the gospel backwards and forwards. Remember start with God, our holy Creator. Talk about the Fall of man, our sin nature and our sinfulness. Show them how God redeemed his creation, through Jesus Christ. Tell them about Jesus, the God-man, 100% God, 100% man, who took on human flesh, lived perfectly under the law, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried, who rose from the dead on the third day, and who is now ascended into heaven at the right hand of the Father as King of kings and Lord of lords. Tell them that God commands them to repent of (turn away from) their sin and to put their faith in Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation. There will be evangelism training during discipleship traing in 2009. Come, learn, and then go out and tell.

5. Resolve to pray.

Bible study, memorization, family worship, evangelism, ect. all need prayer to be truly effective. Find a place, find a time, and generate a list of people who need intercession. Begin crying out for the lost, for your family, for your church, for you friends, for our leaders, for our soldiers, for the sick, and most importantly for the glory of the Lord.

6. Resolve to pursue holy living.

The Bible is clear the God expects us to live holy lives. As Peter reminds us, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy'"(1 Pet. 1:15-16, NIV). The author of Hebrews warns, "Strive for peace with everyong, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14, ESV).

7. Resolve to be at church every time the doors are open, unless providentially hindered.

Peter states, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation" (1 Pet. 2:2, ESV, see also 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet 1:3-11, 3:18). The author of Hebrews compels us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25, NIV). In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul explains what the church should be. The goal is that each member, and thus the church as a whole, will mature in knowledge of and service to the Lord, growing into the fullness of Christ, thus being able to discern true doctrine from false doctrine, and choosing to live in obedience to true doctrine. Yet, how can we accomplish this if we are not meeting together to learn that Word? If we are not holding one another accountable to live out that Word?

8. Resolve to develop an accountability relationship.

We need each other. An accountability relationship takes this reality into consideration and seeks the mutual encouragement and maturity of the partners. Married folks have a build in accountability relationship, but it may be wise and helpful for each to have other accountability partners. Some words of caution: nobody should have an accountability partner, other than their spouse, who is of the opposite gender. What is an accountability partner? It is a person with whom you spend time praying and studying Scripture. Here is a helpful post that gives the pros and cons of a one on one prayer and study relationship. Also, for families with children in the home it may be difficult to develop these relationships while your children are young. Don't worry, the time will come for you to take up this resolution, but it just may not be this coming (or the next several) year(s).

These resolutions seem basic, easy to do, and noble, but apart from the empowerment of the Spirit, no of us will accomplish them this year or any other. Let me ask you: Are you hungry for transformation? Do you want to know the Word of God better at the end of 2009, then you do at the end of this year? Do you want to walk closer to the Lord in 2009, then you did in 2008? Prayerfully consider these suggestions, check out the links and other resouces, sit down with the Scriptures and ask the Lord, "What would you have me to do?". Then by the grace of God, respond in obedience to what he says. Let me offer one more suggest: take it one day at a time. When the Lord gives you a day, seek his strength for that day and praise him for that strength at day's end. May God's providential hand guide you swiftly and safetly into the coming year, and may each event you encounter draw you closer to our perfect Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, by the leading of the Spirit.