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Have you ever made one? Have you ever kept it past the middle of January?!
There is nothing in the Bible about such resolutions. In fact, when I went on-line to look up the origin of the practice at Wikipedia, I found this fascinating description. It is asserted that the tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates back to the Babylonians. Babylonians, from historical records, are the first ones to fest New Year and also are known to have set New Year resolutions. The most common of their resolutions was said to be “to return the borrowed farm equipment.”
But while there’s nothing in the Bible about making New Year’s resolutions, there’s plenty in the Bible about making promises (“vows”) to the Lord. Such “discipline” was a part of the 18th century “methodistic” approach to spirituality that John Wesley advocated. That included resolutions about daily Bible study and journaling and weekly times of fasting and prayer. Jonathan Edwards is remembered for the 70 resolutions he made over the years, determining to read over his list once each week. You can find the whole list at this web site: http://www.reformed.org/documents/Edwards/index.html?mainframe=/documents/Edwards/j_edwards_resolutions.html
I would love to hear about your resolution. In fact, it would be interesting to have many of you post your resolutions as comments to this blog. It would encourage all of us to pursue the commitments we’ve made. And it would add a degree of accountability as we invite others to ask us how we’re doing in keeping the resolutions we’ve made public!
It doesn’t have to be anything too big or dramatic. Mine is a simple one. Several times over the years I have started using Charles Spurgeon’s classic daily devotions: “Morning and Evening.” But I never completed it. After I missed a day here and a day there, I gave up. This year I’m going to get all the way through … all 365 mornings and evenings! Ask me how I’m doing in a month or two!
When Christians make New Year’s resolutions, there are several things that distinguish them from those of non Christians. First, we look for something that will have spiritual (eternal) as well as temporal (material, physical, this-worldly) benefit. Second, we aim for something the Lord wants us to do, not something we want. Third, we pursue it to please Him, not to impress others. And fourth, we do it in His strength, not our own.
Now it’s your turn. What is your New Year’s resolution? Post it as a comment to this blog. Then let’s check on one another to see how we’re doing.
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