This Year's Resolution
Have you made any resolutions for the coming year? It was my practice years ago. But each year it became soon clear that keeping them was beyond my ability. There are a few simple things we can do by will power. Others? Impossible.
As we see the glow of a New Year on the calendar horizon…consider a suggestion…
Make it your resolution to know more about Immanuel…. He is-God With Us…King of Kings…Lord of Lords…Jesus.
We’ve been reading His Sermon on the Mount. We’ve come to the six examples of looking good on the outside but being evil inside. The Bible says humans look at the outside of a person while God sees the heart. You and I cannot read the mind and thoughts of another. We may say the right words. We may seem good and virtuous…but God sees our hearts. What does God see in our lives without Jesus? Sin. As we come to the close of 2023, feel the weight of the words that Jesus spoke from that mountain in Israel:
Do not murder…
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:22
Do not commit Adultery:
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
Divorce:
“But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:32
Oaths: (How many times have you said “Yes I will”-then didn’t?)
“Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:37
Eye for eye: (0h, this is hard!)
“But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39
Love your enemies:
“You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love, your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44
How are you at nurturing relationships? My guess? At some point in both of our lives we have resolved to do something about one or all of these topics Jesus spoke of in His message. All of them involve our relationships with others. Want the truth? In every subject we will fail. Following the plan of God in our relationships with others is impossible for us. Why? We both have sin filled hearts. Make resolutions to “do better” next year or even tomorrow will always end in frustration. Jesus is the answer.
Here’s a suggestion for a 2024 resolution. Get to know Jesus better. How about a resolution two words long?
Know Jesus.
How? Two more words:
Talk.
Read.
We can talk with Jesus in prayer. Tell Him the resolutions you’ve failed. Ask forgiveness. You can tell Him everything. Remember, He already knows.
We can read. Read the Bible in 2024.
Be ready for discouragement…it won’t be easy. We have an enemy. The last thing he wants is for us to know Jesus. Satan exists. He will fight our efforts to know Immanuel. But in this resolution, we have true, eternal help-the power and love of Jesus-God with us. Consider this bombshell: Jesus wants a relationship with you and me!
Knowing Jesus in 2024 is a resolution we can keep through the power and love of Jesus.
This year: Make it your resolve-to know Jesus.