Many people begin a new year by making resolutions concerning health, finances, marriage, or parenting. Even if you aren't someone who typically writes down resolutions, the majority of us usually decide there are a few things we want to do differently after the holidays. The older I get, the more I find myself taking a step back before the start of the year and asking myself a few questions: What am I pleased with in my life? In what areas do I need to change and be more faithful?
While it is certainly good to make resolutions surrounding areas like our health and relationships, we must not fail to contemplate where we are in our walk with Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:15-18.
We are called to pay attention to how we live our daily lives. The gospel of grace does not mean that God is unconcerned with how we live. He wants the life we live outwardly to match the faith we declare verbally and the commitment we claim to have made internally. One of the great enemies of the gospel in our culture is that there is no shortage of people who profess faith in Christ but have no walk with the Lord. There may be talk, but there should be fruit that bears evidence of salvation in our lives.
So, how is your walk? Where do you need to grow? You may feel unsure about what to even evaluate, so I have pulled together a list of resolutions that every believer can embrace this coming year as we set our hearts on walking with the Lord daily and living for Him faithfully.
Here are eight resolutions that will help every believer grow:
- I will make it my priority and my pattern this year to gather with my church on Sundays to offer my worship and hear God’s Word preached.
- I will make sure intentional fellowship around God’s Word with a group of other believers is a part of my weekly rhythm.
- Five days a week, I will spend unhurried time with the Lord by CAMPing in His Word. (You can learn more about the CAMP method I created here.)
- I will seek out and commit to a special relationship with another believer of my same gender for discipleship. I may offer guidance or receive guidance, but walking with another believer will be a part of my routine.
- I will serve the Lord by finding or remaining in a consistent place of service within a ministry of the church.
- I will generously and sacrificially support my church financially, with tithing my income as the goal and baseline of personal stewardship.
- I will attempt to share my faith with someone through intentional prayer and conversation on a weekly basis.
- I will find a way to be involved in one of the missions efforts around me to share the gospel through word and deed to people not normally in my circle of influence.
I certainly do not believe we can reduce our walk with Christ to a handful of resolutions, nor do I have any interest in making a legalistic list. But these basic building blocks for our walk with Jesus, as outlined in His Word, are vital to our life with Him. They are a framework that will help us walk with the Lord in faithfulness. I encourage you to bring each one before the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to help you evaluate your walk. In which areas are you the strongest? Which ones do you need Him to help you commit to making more effort? Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and empower you to live according to His will, knowing that you cannot do this in your own power.
One final note. Don't do any of this for your pastor, your spouse, or your family, even though these commitments will certainly benefit them. Don’t do this to be a nicer person or a better you. Do it for Jesus. Our motive is not to perform to earn His love. It is rooted in the fact He first loved us, and He is worthy. He is worthy of our worship. He is worthy of our effort. He is worthy of it all.
