New Year’s Resolutions

A reportedly true story is told about a school principal who, at the end of the year, encouraged all his teachers to write out their resolution for the new year. He promised to post these on the faculty bulletin board so that all could benefit from them. When the resolutions were posted, all the teachers crowded around to read the suggestions from their co-workers.

Suddenly one of the teachers erupted in a fit of anger: "Mine is not here! He's purposefully left mine off the board. He doesn't care about me. That just shows how little I'm appreciated around here!"

The principal was shocked. He had not intentionally left anyone's resolution off the board. He rushed to his desk and found the missing note under a pile of papers. He immediately proceeded to post it. The resolution read: "I resolve not to let little things upset me anymore."

What we see in the above example is a clear case of a resolution without commitment. We need to make resolutions but it is just as important that we be committed to follow through and perform what we resolve to accomplish.

The word “resolve” carries to some degree the idea of solving a problem. We all have problems in our life that we need to fix—many of which relate to physical matters. But the most important resolutions that we can make are spiritual in nature. We need to “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ (Phil. 3:14). This will involve a number of duties and responsibilities. Two parables spoken by Jesus, “vine and branches” and “talents” (Jn. 15:1-8; Matt. 25:14-30), teach us the importance of being productive. Understand that it is possible for one to think he is being productive when he is actually being counterproductive. Paul, after becoming a Christian, said “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth ” (Acts 26:9). Fortunately, he learned the truth and became productive in the work of the Lord.

Below are some suggestions for resolutions for the year to come. I resolve to: 1) use good hermeneutics in studying important Bible subjects so that I might come to knowledge of the truth; 2) be bold in searching for truth, which may involve putting Bible teachers on the spot; 3) make application of the Scriptures to my life and take necessary action; 4) be the kind of example I should be, which involves admitting when I’m wrong and being humble when I’m right, so that I can promote Christ whenever an opportunity presents itself; and 5) be diligent to “walk in the light” that I (as a Christian) might be continuously cleansed of all sin (2 Pet. 3:14; 1 John 1:7). To “walk in the light” one must be in the practice of repenting of sin and of prayer to God (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9; Acts 6:4). Oh, and don’t forget that your body is the “ temple of God ” (1 Cor. 3:16-17) and treat it accordingly.

“The New Year lies before you, like a spotless tract of snow. Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show.”

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