New Year’s Resolutions
Writing to the Corinthian church Paul says, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (I Cor. 2:2).
The apostle stayed in the city a year and a half, “teaching the Word of God” (Acts 18:11). He does not mean he talked of nothing but the cross all the time. Rather, that his priority was to exalt Christ and not himself (vs. 1-5), and central to his message about Christ was the cross.
Perhaps we could look upon First Corinthians 2:2 as a kind of New year’s Resolution. “I determined,” he says. It was something Paul determined would characterize his life, by the grace of God. Here are three such commitments, illustrated by Bible characters, that would make sound resolutions for us as a new year begins.
- Life’s Priority–the reason for our life and service. As noted, the priority of Paul’s life and ministry was Christ and His cross. “For me to live is Christ” he says elsewhere, [and because that is so] to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21; cf. 3:10).
- Life’s Pattern–the regulation of our life and service. The pattern of Daniel’s life was set early on. As a teen-ager he “purposed in his heart not to defile himself” (Dan. 1:8). It is a resolution to submit his daily conduct to the Word and will of God. (Cf. the psalmist, Ps. 119:9, 11, 106, 115, and see I Thess. 4:1-8.)
- Life’s Product–the result of our life and service. Paul challenges Timothy, “Fulfil your ministry” (II Tim. 4:5), which he did himself (vs. 7) to God’s glory (cf. Gal. 1:24). The ultimate outcome of our service should be the glory of God (I Cor. 6:20).