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| Vol. 13 No. 1 January 2011 | Page 13 |
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| Vol. 13 No. 1 January 2011 | Page 13 |
Adam B. Cozort
In James 1:22-25, the writer gives a very appropriate analogy showing two different types of people, those who hear God’s Word and ignore it, and those who hear it and obey it. The first group is compared to a person who looks in the mirror, sees his/her unkempt reflection and simply walks away not caring about their appearance. Such individuals are not considered to be wise or to care about themselves and their image before others. Yet, how many people fall into this category spiritually? They see what the Bible says about their deeds, but they walk away as though they saw nothing.
On the other hand, the second group of people is the one that looks into the mirror, sees the changes that need to be made, and takes the time to make them. Spiritually, we need to be like this example. When we look to God’s Word and see the changes that need to be made, we ensure they are accomplished in our lives. How do you look in the mirror?
Robert Johnson
A new year inevitably brings New Year’s resolutions. A new year does offer good opportunities to make changes in our lives, to evaluate where we’ve been, where we want to go and how best to accomplish all this. While change just for the sake of change usually doesn’t last, it is biblical to take inventory of ourselves. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5). What are some things in which we can determine to be stronger, which we can resolve for the new year, that will make a positive difference in our relationship with God?
Resolve to be faithful in every opportunity to assemble with your spiritual family. Everyone wants to be encouraged and strengthened, but how do we find that encouragement and strength? It’s impossible to live the Christian life alone. The writer of Hebrews shows us how to be stimulated to love and good deeds, and it’s by not forsaking our assembling together (10:24-25). We need the fellowship and blessings fellowship offers!
Resolve to spend time in Scripture every day. The Bible is God’s revelation to us; through His Word, He speaks to us. By Scripture, we are warned, taught and motivated (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Through the Word of God, we are enabled to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Bible helps us live victoriously (1 John 5:4). It is such a readily available resource; every home has at least one, usually more. Without God’s Word filling your heart and mind, Christian living becomes an unnecessarily harder endeavor; with it, there’s promise and hope.
Resolve to be constant in prayer. The key to any successful relationship is communication. Prayer is our link to the Father, where we can reveal our hearts to God, and know He hears and cares (1 Peter 5:7). We have the resource of the power of God in our lives through prayer (Ephesians 3:16). It should be an unfailing aspect of daily living (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Resolve to be sincere in practicing your faith. It’s easy to get caught in the everyday routine of life, to just go through the motions. God is concerned not just in what we do, but why we do it. Paul reminded Timothy, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). We need to develop a consciousness of not only what we do, but the real motives from which our actions come. As Scripture reminds us, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives” (Proverbs 16:2). We must know our own heart honestly, to be genuine Christians, to live genuine Christian lives.
What kind of lifestyle can putting these resolutions into practice create? It’s one that is blessed of God, which strengthens us in every good work, which helps us face whatever life brings our way. Perhaps what is most important is that these resolutions can prepare us for eternity. What will you resolve for the new year spiritually?