Promises to Make
January 3, 2021 • Mike Burt
The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these spiritual New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
RISK: You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. James 4:14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
REASON: Do it for the LORD. Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
REWARD: Accomplishing a goal to the glory of God!
Join me this first Sunday of 2021 and hear some challenges and then prayerfully set some goals for God to work in us this coming year!
Pastor Mike
