By 
This year’s resolutions are too often last year’s reframed regrets.
Think about your list. Do the items look vaguely familiar? A survey showed the most popular include: lose weight, exercise more, organize (car, home, office, life!), save money, nurture relationships, develop skills or hobbies. Christians usually add: increase quiet time, memorize scripture, witness to others, love the unlovable, give more to church or ministries, volunteer.
If we are honest with ourselves and each other we find the same items moving from list to list, year to year. The failed resolution to lose weight or increase quiet time becomes a regret, assigned a higher priority for next year or the next.
Let’s consider a few principles of biblical resolution:
Resolute is the state of being steadfast, earnest, and committed.
We see the Apostle Paul outline the donning of the spiritual armor before planting our feet, standing steadfast, and fighting in the Lord’s army (Ephesians 6:10-18). As we stand girded and equipped, we are prepared to hold our position resolutely, firmly, and Spirit-led.
The spiritually resolute commit without compromise.
In the 4th chapter, verses 13-16 of her story, Hadassah (known as Esther) agreed to confront the King with the malevolent actions of Mordecai, disregarding the risk of death. Once she understood the gravity of the situation and the opportunity of “such a time as this”, she moved forward without hesitation.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, listened to the voice which informed her of an unimaginable future. She resolutely worshipped God, buoyed by the Spirit, obeying unconditionally:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”
—Luke 1:46-49 (ESV)
Resolutions and vows have consequences.
For example, the Nazarite vow established strict, lifetime parameters. Samson (Judges 13:5-7) exemplifies one under such a vow with uncut hair, alcoholic prohibition, and separation for God’s work. Before his birth, his parents were told he would be used to subdue the Philistines. His broken vow ultimately resulted in destruction and his death. Even though his last action didn’t absolve him of his flawed behavior, it brought glory to God and ruin to the pagan Philistines (Judges 16:23-30).
Godly resolve can be costly.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs vividly recounts men and women who lived and died with the single goal of honoring our great Trinitarian God. A more modern example: Jim Elliott and his fellow missionaries paid with their blood to bring the gospel to the Aucas. Think of those who are being killed today because they will not recant. These Christians throughout the world don’t simply pay lip service to Kingdom work; they pay with their lives with the name of Jesus on their lips.
Jesus Never Fails.
We may flounder, but Jesus never fails. We believe in our January lists, feeling satisfied to strive for better habits, behavior, and outcomes. About mid-February we fudge, acknowledging our failure to accomplish what we so passionately desired just six weeks before. We failed, eventually regret, and with idealized hope move our resolutions to next year’s list assuring ourselves “I’ll do better.”
Not Jesus! He promised to give us life everlasting (John 3:16,36), send the comforter to lead and direct (John 14:16-17), never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and bring us to the Father (John 14:1-3). We won’t see any rationalizations from Him. His Word stands; His promises hold. The prophecies given by Yahweh announcing the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. The promises of Jesus pronouncing our redemption, reclamation, and regeneration are undeniable and sure.
As we look at the hype of Happy New Year’s resolutions, let’s resolve to live steadfastly, turning from regrettable wishes to the indelible promises of God. Losing weight, exercising more, and handling money wisely are all good things as long as we don’t lean solely on our own strength or let them define us. May our desires for 2022 lead us to be weighty in the Word, exercised by the Spirit, and invested in the Body of Christ. May the fleeting, failing nature of human resolutions drive us to worship the imperishable, eternal, Lord God Almighty!
Human resolutions wilt; natural willpower wanes. But the promise of our great God’s transformation holds true. He desires us to stand steadfast through the veracity of the Spirit, not the tenacity of the flesh. He is able, adequate, and all powerful. He is much more than we can imagine. That is the stuff of which genuine, authentic, happy new years are born.
Brenda Smith
Brenda A. Smith lives in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Her work as President of the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute creates opportunities for Christians to “stretch and bless the next generation of leaders…to the glory of God.” She is currently a Womenary board member and a Womenary student since 2012. Observing God’s life lessons in the everyday gives her a love for illustrations which bring His truths home. Her colorful seasons of life: marriage, mothering, divorce, business, caregiving for parents, and non-profit leadership. Music, reading, writing, and most of all – family(including 9 grandchildren) are sources of joy. Encouraging women to truly see His sovereign hand even in the darkest days and trusting in His goodness is her heartbeat. 
