NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

This is the time of the year when people begin to ask one another, “What are your New Year’s Resolutions?” In reply, some say, “My resolution is to not to make any resolutions!” Yet, it is common to find those who make a serious step toward making resolutions.
In Webster’s, the word “resolution” is defined: “the act of determining.” It is in this sense we could say that Jesus made resolutions. As He stood on the edge of heaven, looking down on earth, Jesus made determinations as to what He was going to as He lived the life as a human. In this, we find a similarity with Jesus and ourselves: as Jesus was about to pass from one existence (heaven) to another (earth), so are we passing from one year to another; and as Jesus made determinations as to how He would live on earth, so do we make our determinations (resolutions) for our next year. The point is this: since any “resolution” which Jesus made would obviously be the perfect and ideal resolution, then should we not make our resolutions the same?!
Consider the resolutions of Jesus:
Jesus resolved “to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Brethren, may each of us put on our list of new year’s resolutions the resolution to do whatever you can do to seek and save the lost.
Jesus resolved “to fulfill” the Law of God (Matt. 5:17). Yes, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, but He also resolved to live according that which was written (Matt. 4:4). May each of us make the resolution to live faithful to the Scriptures in all things (2 Cor. 2:9).
Jesus made the resolution to “come in my Father’s name” (John 5:43). Jesus came in, and did the authority of the Father. He never did anything presumptuous. He never went beyond the Father’s authority, nor did He cut short that authority. May we resolve to do the same, for as Colossians 3:17 states: “Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Jesus made the resolution to “come seeking fruit” (Luke 13:7). Jesus expected to find growth in the Jews then as well as in Christians today! We too should make the resolution to expect to find ourselves producing godly growth in the Christian characteristics this year. We expect growth in other endeavors (such as finances, physical growth, etc.). We should expect growth as a child of God as well.
What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Whether you make a paper or mental list, I hope you will make the same resolutions (determinations) as did Jesus before He came to earth—for His resolutions are perfect and ideal.
Gary Henson