From the Old Testament example of Daniel last week, we turn to some New Testament examples of individuals who made significant resolutions.
The Apostle Paul was in many ways a premier example of one whose life was tightly tied to some important resolutions.
Among his firm decisions and fixed purposes, we turn to 1 Corinthians 2:2, in which he wrote in words of serious resolve, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Like Paul, we might well aspire in the new year to get to know Christ better and speak of Him to others.
God’s purpose for our lives
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul voiced yet another determination that guided his life: “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ has also laid hold of me” (3:12). We might express that resolution as his intention of pleasing Christ by living out the purpose for which He called him.
Using Paul as our example, we too would do well to resolve to please Christ in this new year by seeking to know and pursue seriously His purpose for our lives.
The premier New Testament example of a purpose-driven life is Jesus. For one of His most significant resolves, we might look at His determination to accomplish the purpose for which He came. In doing this, we consider not only what He said, but also His body language as described in Luke 9:51: “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.”
Jesus set the example
Jesus’ deepest resolve as the incarnate Son of God was to fulfill the purpose for which He had come into the world. To this end, His face was set as He determined to enter Jerusalem and subsequently fall on His face in Gethsemane and add words to His resolve: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).
With Jesus as our example, we cannot do better than to resolve anew in a new year to do God’s will at all costs.
Carefully conceived and clearly expressed, our spiritual resolutions can be like frontlets before our eyes that help us avoid aimless existence. We can choose to drift rather thoughtlessly through the months ahead, or we can choose to live purposefully by setting significant spiritual goals as guiding resolutions for the year.
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