Three Reasons to Choose Your Resolutions Carefully

"I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'; and he replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way!'" (quoting from a poem by M. L. Harkins)

It's January 5th. Assumedly most of you have already created your New Year's resolution list. Your resolve is high and it feels good to practice new disciplines and meet new goals...but what happens to that resolve by the end of the year? Why are we so quick to create a list of good things, only to fail by December 31st?

I do believe God has called each and every one of us to live a set apart life and this does take resolve but on the flip side of this, I think we've become so focused on making changes in our life we have failed in laying the right foundation for success. Why do we make resolutions? Why can't we keep them? There are three reasons for failure I want you to consider as you start this year afresh.

THREE REASONS ATTRIBUTED TO FAILURE
"The little moments of life are profoundly important precisely because they are the little moments that we live in and that form us. This is where I think “Big Drama Christianity” gets us into trouble. It can cause us to devalue the significance of the little moments of life and the “small-change” grace that meets us there." (Paul Tripp, Trading One Dramatic Resolution for 10,000 Little Ones)

REASON #1

Resolve Without Command Brings Defeat

Without the anchor of God's Word, we have no solid foundation to obey our resolutions. David understood the importance of this in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." 

As a personal side note, I've found this to be a pitfall in my own life. There is this crazy spiritual roller coaster ride of determined zeal and plunging defeat as I've sought to do what is right without the anchor of God's Word to keep me steady. I want to caution you; don't make your list hastily. Set aside a period of time to seek God's face and to study His Word. It is then that you'll have a clearer picture of what the Lord values for your life in 2014. (A passage I would encourage you to meditate on: John 15)

REASON #2
Resolve Without the Holy Spirit's Leading Lacks Godly Fruit
"When you get miserable enough to die, you can be free. Go ahead and live under the law, give it your best shot. You'll want to die. Then you will find that someone already died for you." (Dudley Hall)

To follow a resolution list without the help and leading of the Holy Spirit is no different than placing yourself under the yoke of the Old Testament law. This resolve lacks God's grace to carry it out; a determined effort that breeds a religious spirit. Here is something to ponder: how did you get saved? "By grace through faith" (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Then in Colossians 2:6 Paul encourages us that "just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him."

The same way we received the Lord is the same way we are commanded to walk in obedience to Him: BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. (A passage I would encourage you to meditate on: Galatians 5)

REASON #3
Resolve Without God-Centered Worship Creates Self-Worship 
If you aren't in a state of worshipping God, you are worshipping something else. This idea of worship came to my mind this morning when I was reading over Isaiah 58. Verse three struck a cord deep within my heart, "'We have fasted before you!' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!' I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting." 

The chapter goes on to explain the rituals of fasting and then Isaiah challenges them again in verse 5, "Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?" Here is something you need to remember: The heart of all resolve should be to magnify the character of Christ here on earth. If that is not the focal point for every item on your resolution list, you are creating a list that worships and exalts self. (A passage I would encourage you to meditate on: Isaiah 58)

Questions to ponder: 

• Did you prayerfully seek God's face and study God's Word in preparation for your 2015 list? 
• Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in daily victory? 
• Does your list reflect a heart of worship and a desire to magnify the name of Christ?

I do believe we should be resolved to live a life of radical devotion to Christ alone. By God's Word and through the Holy Spirit's leading, we should all desire to write down what God is calling us to do. And remember, when God calls you to something He will give the grace and strength to see it through!