Happy New Year! This time of year we tend to talk about New Year's resolutions. We resolve to lose weight, or to keep a budget, or any number of things. It is a new beginning. We know that every day's a new beginning and a fresh start. We leave the past behind and live in the anticipation of the victory we are striving for with every new step we take towards our goals.
Philippians 3:13-14 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The New Living Translation of verse 14 says "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
There are many resolutions we can make for the New Year ahead, but the best resolution I can personally make has to do with walking more by the spirit. What about you?
The past is behind us. Knowing that we all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we endeavor to walk worthy of his calling at all times. When we make mistakes, we ask God for forgiveness and move on.
We keep our eye on the hope of Jesus Christ's return, knowing that we will be rewarded for the things we accomplish in this life. That is the end of our race, the return of Jesus Christ and the bema judgment.
A race is an excellent analogy. There is discipline involved and we press forward to make our calling and election sure. We remember the allegory of the tortoise and the hare from childhood. The hare had plenty of ability, but lacked discipline and focus. The tortoise, on the other hand, lacked ability but had persistence and won the race over the hare. We may lack natural ability, but if we persist, we will win.
Many years ago I made a commitment. I made Jesus Christ lord.
Romans 10:9-10 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
How am I living that commitment daily? Am I spending time in the Word? Am I spending time with God in prayer? Am I praying for my family and my fellow believers? Am I speaking in tongues? How about my renewed mind? Am I practicing the presence of God? Maybe my new year's resolutions belong here. There are many things I must do.
Ephesians 6:10-13 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
If I want to be strong in the Lord I must put on the whole armor of God. Even if I'm not good at it, just like the tortoise I will win the race by persistent effort. This tells us where our effort needs to lie.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
When we realize that we are fighting against spiritual forces, we realize how important it is to enlist God's help.
Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Go to God and he will lead you in the right way!
It becomes important that we realize we are in a spiritual competition. It is our personal adversary who is out to defeat us. Let's remember what our spiritual armor is.
When Jesus Christ took on the devil after he was tempted 40 days in the wilderness, he always responded with "it is written". If we are going to speak the word, obviously we must know the word.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
It is the truth of God's word that protects our loins; the seat of our personal lives. We also remember that we are righteous now because of the finished work of Christ's redemption in our lives.
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The gospel of salvation is God's peace treaty between God and man. You and I have the privilege to help other people get born again so they can be with us in eternity. It is not a gospel of condemnation – it's a gospel of peace!
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Faith is trust in God. How do we come against the attacks of the wicked? We trust God. Nothing shall by any means hurt us!
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
The helmet of salvation protects your mind. Jesus Christ paid the price for you; he completely bought you for God. You have salvation. You manifest that by a renewed mind walk.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
We all realize that the only offensive weapon we possess is the word of God. We can speak the word in any situation of life. It is the most versatile weapon one can have. It is not in our own strength. When we are weak, then God can be strong for us. I hope this helps.