What is Your New Year's Resolution This Time?
God says: " See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16).
God desires to bestow blessings upon everyone. However, because people do not pay attention to Him, they cannot receive the blessings they should receive. Therefore, if this year is to be a blessed one, we must love God and listen to His words. People also do not immediately love each other. When people live together constantly, they become close and friendly. Thus, in order to love God, you need to be near Him and get familiar with Him.
How can you grow closer to God? By regularly reading the Bible, praying, being part of a church community, and doing what God commands.
To make this happen, you must be willing. You do not work because you enjoy it; you work because you need to. Waking up at 5 a.m. is not easy, but even if you feel tired and want to stay in bed, you still have to get up. When you first wake up, you may feel sleepy and unrefreshed. However, after a while you become more alert and refreshed. Even though you do not feel energetic at first, your energy gradually returns. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, even if you initially don’t care or want to do things, once you understand that it is beneficial, you will be willing to obey. As you read the Bible, pray, and participate in church activities, your habits will develop.
Another thing: this year could also be our last. The time of judgment is very near. Therefore, let us strive with all our might.
Leave the Past Behind
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (Philippians 3:13-15)
Paul teaches us not to look back at what has already passed. When the new year arrives, we must leave the past behind. Even those who have achieved success should not dwell on their accomplishments; instead, they ought to focus on what lies ahead. Likewise, those who have failed should not become disheartened or resentful but should strive for future victories.
Paul described himself as running toward the goal set before him. That goal is far superior to anything we can achieve on our own because it is ordained by God. In athletic contests, organizers place markers along the course so that participants can focus and receive rewards. A marker one sets for oneself may be reached, but there are no spectators, no reward, and little satisfaction. Likewise, human goals in this world ultimately perish with the world itself.
In contrast, the goal God has placed before us is eternal and unchanging; therefore we should run toward that goal to receive His reward. It is unfortunate that many people pay no attention to the divine goal and instead focus only on their own ambitions. Because of this misplaced focus, many fail to receive God's reward.
Run Toward God’s Prize
Paul reminds us that while we live in our bodies, we follow our own desires. Yet he writes: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10). So that we may not be ashamed at the final reckoning, we should now run toward the goal God has set before us.
To avoid shame at the final reckoning, we should now run toward the goal God has set before us.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24‑27 Paul says:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
Paul desires every believer to obtain God’s prize. By running in His race, we earn the crown of perseverance. Many Christians today fail to receive this crown because they do not run—they are mere spectators. Those who chase this world’s “race” acquire only temporary things—money, houses—that will eventually perish (2 Timothy 4:8). The prize God offers is eternal; therefore we must earnestly desire it.
Paul himself ran well: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
He died in that faithful pursuit. Those who follow their own desires and pursue worldly goals will not obtain the same prize. Paul could say this because he ran toward God’s goal:
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8).
Those who look forward to Christ’s return will also receive this crown. Strive to obtain it!
Look Forward to Christ
For those looking forward to Christ's retun, Paul writes:
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:11-13)
These are the goals God sets: look forward to Christ’s coming, follow His Word, reject worldly temptations, await His return, live righteously, and be holy. Are you doing these things? If not, you are still lagging behind.
Moreover, many people have not yet been saved. They are not hidden abroad; they are among us—family members, colleagues, friends, neighbors, classmates, and anyone we meet daily. We must tell them about God’s salvation (1 Timothy 1:8). By speaking to these people, you are already running on the path of salvation.
We must tell them about the salvation of God (1 Timothy 1:8). If you speak to these people, then you are already running the race.
The Scripture says, "Those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3).
Let us lead people to Christ, the Way of Righteousness.
