I Resolve to... +

For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. Romans 2:5b-7

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I wonder how many have been made over the years - have you ever stopped to think about it? Of more interest - how many have actually been resolutely followed through? A resolution by its very definition is about making a decision and following through until something is resolved or changed. Do we ever make resolutions about things with eternal weight? If not... why not?

In Colossians 3, we are instructed to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Now, that's what I call a resolution.

Actually...that was Colossians chapter 3, verses 5-17 from the New Living Translation. If we're going to make resolutions, let's resolve to follow God's Word.

Prayer:

Father,
           You are the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, the first and the last. You are the New Year and the end of it. You are our all in all. Help us to make eternity-minded resolutions and by Your grace become the new creations You planned that we would -and will -be. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen