“What’s your New Year’s resolution?” It’s a common question this time of year when we look back at the old year and forward into the New Year. It prompts us to pause, take note of our life and identify areas for improvement. In our Christian walk, that might be things like boosting our prayer or Bible reading time or committing to meet with a small group of believers.
But what if instead of a list of action items, you only focused on your resolution to Christ – your determination to follow Him? What would that look like? Would you drop everything and follow him as Matthew did in Matt. 9:9 when Jesus said, “Follow me!” Would you drop your nets and follow Jesus as Peter and Andrew did in Matt. 4:18-20 when He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What is the degree of your resolution to follow Christ?
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” (The Message) Paul focused on following Jesus at all costs. When he announces in Acts 21 that he is going to Jerusalem, his friends plead with him not to go as they are sure it will mean certain death. Yet Paul responds in Acts 21:13, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (NIV).
It only seems appropriate to give our life to someone who gave us the most important resolution of all – a resolution to our sin. Christ died on the cross so that we could have salvation from the sin that enslaves us. That’s a resolution we could never accomplish on our own. As Hebrews 9:26 tells us, “…he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.” (The Message)“
#ThrowbackThursday — This post originally published January 2011.
© 2011, CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
So beautifully worded, especially there at the end “the most important resolution of all”. This was such a timely reminder for me to focus on the things that matter most – drop all of the shoulds and todos and just follow Jesus ❤️ Thank you for sharing, friend!
Indeed, drop the shoulds and todos. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
My new years RESOLUTION is to guard my heart jealousy above all things.to make sure the word of God populate my heart such that no amount of worldy shaking can interfere with my balance.
Like your phrase “to guard my heart jealousy.” It shows intentionality, a deep desire to pursue a heart for God. Letting God’s word saturate our heart is a good defense against the world. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings.
Like many you have mentioned, I have endeavored, through a new year resolution, to be more intentional in my walk with the Lord. And like many, I have to renew this resolve when the next year comes along. To guard against this cycle, I have shortened my expectation: Rather than planning for the entire year, I simply ask Holy Spirit to guide me in all truth TODAY. He has blessed this request, and as a result has grown me in my faith.
Blessings.
Pastor Chuck
That is great advice. Each day we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in God’s truth. May we continue to grow in our faith in Christ Jesus. Blessings.