Resolutions

January, 2007

by: Jay Underwood

Last year at this time I challenged unbelievers to become believers by placing their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and for believers to grow and mature in their spiritual walks with Christ…

So how’d it go? Were you possibly an unbeliever who became a believer this last year? If so, praise God! What about for you believers? How has your walk or sanctification been? Did you follow through with those all-important times in God’s word? Did you set aside special time for prayer? Did you turn off the TV in favor of some family devotions? Did you opt for reading some good spiritual books over Sports Illustrated or Vogue? Did you practice hospitality by inviting other believers over to your house for fellowship or unbelievers in order to share the Gospel (something my wife and I have been convicted of)? The point of my asking is not to lay a guilt trip on you, but hopefully to encourage you.

Praise God that we have a gracious and merciful Savior! Not only did Christ forgive us when we repented of our sins (Lk 24:46-47), but that forgiveness stretches out over every sin and shortfall we will have as believers (Col 2:13-14). Of course we are told to confess our sins constantly to Him and each other (1 Jn 1:9; Jms 5:16) but we can be confidant of His great forgiveness (1 Jn 2:12) and desire to see us grow (Eph 4:1; Phil 1:6). This should only encourage us even more! Yes, we strive to be Christ-like, we sin, we confess, He picks us up and dusts us off and we strive still more. Listen to Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 who was the first to admit he hadn’t reached the goal of Christ-likeness here on earth or in heaven : “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Have you fallen off your horse a few times this past year? We can all relate. What’s important is to repent, let God set you back in the saddle and ride some more trusting that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6).