A New Kind of Resolution

January, 2006

by: Jay Underwood

1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person

Guess what these are? That’s right, these are the top 10 New Years resolutions. It’s funny because it could be argued that they all could be backed up with biblical principles, but of course we don’t want to be called legalists so suffice it to say we’ll just leave it up to each individual and their conscience as to how strongly they feel about these particular ones!

Now I’m sure that whoever made up this list and the people interviewed for it probably weren’t thinking of these things in a spiritual sense. But what if they were? How do you think a Christian brother or sister might fare with these propositions? Well, considering they have the Holy Spirit on their side (1 Cor 12:13) they could be extremely successful in accomplishing these goals. Now let’s consider the unbeliever; how do you think they might fare? Remember that the unbeliever does not have the Holy Spirit in their court (Rom 8:9), however, it might be said that the unbeliever could (in theory of course) be able to keep all of these resolutions… all except one. Can you figure out which one? Just sing out that old familiar Sesame Street song “One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong…” That’s right, #10 is the culprit, #10 is the one that doesn't belong. In fact for the unbeliever, #10 is an impossibility. Oh, sure, by the world’s standards they might be able to better themselves; they might be able to set their mind towards accomplishing good deeds but because of the effects of sin, no one could ever do so many good deeds that they would satisfy God’s justice, thus earning for themselves eternal life (Rom 3:10,23; 6:23). When I was in Boy Scouts we had to say the Boy Scout Law. It speaks of a scout as being trustworthy, brave, helpful, courteous, etc. Wonderful attributes, but none that can be kept perfectly, much like God’s commands as set forth in scripture. All of them are with the goal of glorifying and pleasing God, yet we know that no one can keep them in such a way that they actually can become a better person in God’s eyes (Jam 2:10; Tit 3:5).

So how does one become a better person? Only through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross (2 Cor 5:21) and by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9) can anyone then become justified (made “right” before God, Rom 5:18) , sanctified (becoming more like Christ, Rom 6:22) and then glorified (being made into the image and likeness of the risen Christ, Rom 8:30). So this New Years, how about making a “resolution” to put Christ first in your life, making Him your Lord and Savior? And if He already is your Lord and Savior, how about making sure you are in His Word daily and praying “without ceasing” (2 Thess 5:17)? Remember, only through Jesus Christ do we have any hope of becoming “a better person” (Rom 8:29). Blessed New Years!