.....some people have asked me over the years if I make any New Years resolutions.... My answer to this is always no.. that's just not who I am.. have seen to many resolutions go up in smoke the next day... and.. most of all... as Christians isn't our life supposed to be an ongoing New Years resolution, with the one difference that we are really, with the Spirits help being transformed every day????1 Peter 1: 13-16
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 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.”
2. Cor 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Gal 5: 16-26
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
So my point is... we do not need to make New Years Resolutions... shouldn't we all be striving daily, by God's strength and grace and through the Spirit working in us to live a life pleasing to the Lord... the fruit of the Spirit becoming more and more prevalent ... us becoming more and more like Jesus... having been given His mind.. His desires becoming ours... so, we can make New Years Resolutions, we can make them anytime, and they should be in line with what we are called to be, which is Holy, because He is Holy....
We won't have to give up because we are not going to try to do this in our own strength but with His strength... and with Him all things are possible...
But trying we NEED to...... because how else will the unbelievers around us see something they want... a young and very inspiring woman I am following on Twitter just tweeted this:
... Jesus said to tell the world about him and make disciples. Let's get over ourselves and do it!
That's a good New Years Resolution... isn't it???????
