Devotional Thought

A commitment made by an individual towards a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Years Resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year, and new beginnings.

Statistics for the success of New Year resolutions is not very high. Researchers have looked at the success rate of people’s resolutions and found that by February most are backsliding or have fully given up. One university study showed that 78% of all New Year resolutions fail. A key motivator in making resolutions is the idea of bettering oneself or improving oneself. How daunting it must be to add failure into the mix of what you already want to change.

Our Lord Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good or good people better. The call of God’s child isn’t to improve but to die. It isn’t about striving to do better, or mustering up our will power. It isn’t about self effort and determination to change. It’s about Him and faith in Him and letting Him have His way in us. It’s not about leading but following. It’s not about what I want but what He wants. It’s about submission and bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ.

God has already accomplished the change you may desire. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Our role is to live out what Christ has already done. Is there something you want to change in yourself? Bring it to Jesus in prayer. Is there a habit you just can’t seem to stop? Bring it to Jesus in prayer. And once you do, don’t keep your eye on that habit or behavior. Keep your eye on Him.

As God’s children, we don’t need January 1 for a new beginning. We can have our slates wiped clean for the asking.”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 We are going to fail at times. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 But praise be to God that Jesus never fails.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2