by F. D. Adkins
It’s that time of year again. Christmas is over, and New Year’s Day is a few days away. As we reflect on how fast this past year has faded, we set goals for the coming year. New Year’s resolutions typically involve a “to do” list for the new year like losing weight, exercising regularly, learning a new language, making more money, playing a new instrument, starting a new career, etc. In previous posts, I have mentioned how my “to do” list of chores often takes up more time than I anticipate and how easily my list can keep me from focusing on God’s purpose for my life. Recently, a friend mentioned to me an idea about making a “who do I want to be today” list instead of a “what do I want to do today” list. This is the idea that came to my mind as I was thinking about the new year and resolutions. As Christians, we should aspire to grow in Christ and become more like Jesus. So, this week’s Bible study explores what the Bible says about how we can grow in our faith and follow the example set by our Savior because the first goal on our list of resolutions should be serving God and following His plan for our lives. After all, we were created for His purpose, not ours.
- “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV
- “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11 KJV
We need to eliminate the things in our lives that separate us from God.
- “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Jesus was perfect and without sin. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we want to live for Him. We should get rid of sin in our lives and strive toward the perfection of Jesus. Now, we are not going to achieve perfection on this earth. If that were possible, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross. But one day, if we keep running the race, we will be made perfect in Heaven.
- “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 KJV
We need to keep our focus on our eternal destination and not on this temporary world. In order to “seek those things which are above,” we need to study God’s Word daily and spend time with our Father every day (not only talking to Him but also listening).
- “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 KJV
When we accept Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
- “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38 KJV
The Holy Spirit guides us and continues to teach us as we grow in our faith.
- “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV
As we grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit produces fruit inside of us that makes us more like Jesus.
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
LOVE: Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life for us. Jesus instructs us to “…love one another; as I have loved you…” (John 13:34 KJV).
JOY: As last week’s Bible study noted, joy does not come from things in this world or our current situation. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit inside of us. We feel joy in spite of our circumstances. We find joy in the presence of God. (Therefore, we need to spend time one on one with God.) Psalm 16:11 says, “…in thy presence is fulness of joy….”
PEACE: We have peace when we acknowledge God is in control. We know He has won the battle, and we trust Him with our worries and fears. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV).
LONGSUFFERING: When we are longsuffering, we are slow to anger. We are patient with others. We are understanding of others’ imperfections just as God is patient and understanding with us. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).
GENTLENESS: A gentle person is considerate of others. A gentle person does not use harsh words or force. A gentle person shows compassion. Look at this example of gentleness in Isaiah 40:11: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
GOODNESS: Goodness is not just doing good things but having a good heart behind what we do. Think of the parable of the good Samaritan. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34 KJV).
FAITH: When we have faith in God, we believe that His Word is Truth. We trust in His plan for our lives. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
MEEKNESS: When we are meek, we are humble. We submit to God and depend on Him. We must be meek to be like Jesus. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).
TEMPERANCE: If we have temperance, we have self-control. Jesus was in control when He was tempted by the devil. He did not give in to temptation but instead quoted the Word of God. (In order to have temperance, we need to memorize scripture.)
As we make our resolutions for the new year, let’s make our walk with God our first priority. Let us produce the fruit that makes us more like Jesus. Why? Because God says so!
- “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 3:2 KJV
Our eternity is in Heaven. Shouldn’t our goals push us toward the finish line?
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 16:19-21 KJV
