A good many people will make some sort of New Year’s resolution to do better in some way. In some cases, it may be to quit something bad for them. A number of Christians will try to use January first as a watermark day in which they begin to pray more, read their Bible more and do more for the Kingdom. In some cases, simply become a “better Christian.” And like many resolutions, those “good intentions” fall by the wayside, and it’s back to business as usual. Frustrating!
Though this is not the primary point, it does deserve consideration: our righteousness is strictly found in Jesus Christ. There’s no such thing as becoming a better Christian (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:24 etc.).
The reason so many fail in their resolutions is they’re trying to do things by their standards and in their own strength. White knuckled Christianity consists of believers trying to do good as defined by their own criteria, while relying on themselves. Can you say “self-righteousness?” What it really boils down to is submission. Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. If you want stop fulfilling the lust of the flesh, submit to Holy Spirit. If you want to do good, then let the Lord define what good means, and follow Him. You won’t need resolutions if you’re submitted.
Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
