New Year's Resolutions

A new year, a new beginning; the thoughts go hand-in-hand in our culture. We even have a custom of trying to make New Year’s Resolutions each year; many people vow to lose weight, others to quit smoking, save more money, or be nicer to our spouse. We all seem to be a little more willing to change as January 1st rolls around each year. That need, to better ourselves, is a healthy one, but it also reflects the nature of our lives as Christians who have been saved (redeemed, justified) by Christ but have not yet been sanctified (perfected); we are already freed from the eternal penalty of our sins (death, separation from God), but not yet free of the temptation to sin, and the consequences of sin in our lives (News Flash!! Christians aren’t perfect). This tension is what keeps Christians from feeling satisfied with their moral state, even when the rest of the world thinks you’re a saint, you still know that compared to Christ you’re a sinner.
There is someone who has no need to change from year to year; no need for resolutions or vows to improve. Hebrews 13:8 says that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We will always have need of improvement as long as we walk the earth on this side of eternity; Christ has no such need. One day we will be like him; free of sin and free of the temptation to sin. On that day, we won’t need to make any New Year’s Resolutions; until then, keep trying to lose that weight, quit smoking, save more money, and be nicer to your spouse.