Listen or Read - you choose!
Are you one of the many people that sits down to make a thoughtful list of resolutions at the start of every year? You might be surprised to know that setting New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that goes back thousands of years and was observed in various forms by ancient Babylonians, Romans, and medieval knights.
Naturally, trends have changed significantly regarding the kinds of things people commit to do in the coming year… Today, instead of promising to return borrowed farm equipment or renewing vows of chivalry, pledges to lose weight or get organized top the lists of many Americans. But whatever else we are setting out to do in the year ahead, it’s important that we prioritize our spiritual growth:
Our number one goal should be to be conformed to the image of Christ. (excerpt from Faith Blockers part 1, by Dr. Chester C. Pipkin)
Now that’s a resolution with eternal benefits! And it fits perfectly with how scripture clearly tells us about what God wants for us: to develop in the character of Jesus, and become more like Him.
For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren… (Romans 8:29 ASV)
This kind of personal makeover is not something that we can do all by ourselves. It requires the Holy Spirit working in us to bring about these kinds of changes that affect not only our actions, but even how we think. At the same time, God requires our permission- He doesn’t force us to change. So let’s commit to cooperating with Him to that end! Whether it’s at the start of the year or any other time, resolving to partner with God to become more like Jesus is a commitment we will not regret.