The start of a new year has always been a logical time for people to reassess their lives, and recommit to beneficial personal goals.  According to online articles, almost 40% of people make New Year’s resolutions.  The most common ones are health related, followed by finances. 

Unfortunately, most commitments fall to the wayside – often quite quickly.  Almost 25% don’t even make it a week; the majority of the rest fall off in just a month or two.  Less than 10% actually keep their resolutions for the entire year.

Nevertheless, I thought I would toss out some possibilities for spiritual resolutions.  Though most people wouldn’t consider these at all important, as Christians we realize spiritual matters are actually the most significant … even if perhaps we don’t always properly prioritize them.

A few disclaimers, suggestions and significant points ahead of the list:

1. It’s a long list! Some suggestions are more church related; others more people related.  All, however, are personal.  They relate to each of us as individual believers.
   
   
2. No one can or will be able to fulfill all of these perfectly. Unfortunately, we’re all perfect sinners and therefore imperfect people. (Rom. 3:23).
   
   
3. I certainly don’t have all these down, (not even close!), so I am in no position to claim superiority over anyone.
   
   
4. This is NOT an exercise in guilt! Rather, it’s an opportunity to reflect and consider.
   
   
5. All that being said, please don’t simply disregard the list offhand. Our Lord does want us to grow in our thankful living for him.  (Rom. 12:1).
   
   
6. Perhaps a beneficial way to approach this list is for each of us to note the points where we are lacking and might want to improve. Choose a few (maybe even only one!), and strive to make the necessary changes to grow in these areas.
   
   
7. Finally … thanks be to God! Through his grace, we are adopted into his family and made his children.  We are dearly loved and abundantly blessed by God himself!.  We are fully forgiven, people filled with peace and hope, and heirs of salvation. (Gal. 4:4-7).  This affects where we will live forever, and also how we live already now.  God’s profound love for us is our motivation to live for God.

So on to the list.  What if …

• Every Christian read a portion of the Bible every day? (Acts 17:11)
  
  
• Every parent faithfully taught their children God’s truths from little on? (Deut. 11:18-19)
  
  
• Every believer was active in their prayer life? (1 Thes. 5:17)
  
  
• Every church member actively prayed for their church and their fellow members? (Jms. 5:16)
  
  
• Every member attended one of their church’s worship services every week? (Heb. 10:23-25)
  
  
• Everyone sang all the hymns and worship songs with all their heart? (Ps. 9:2)
  
  
• Every talent (musical and otherwise) was utilized to enhance worship?
  
  
• Everyone regularly attended at least one Bible study offered at their congregation? (2 Pet. 3:18)
  
  
• Every child regularly attended Sunday School?
  
  
• Each believer’s spiritual light shone brightly all the time so all could clearly see? (Mt. 5:14-16)
  
  
• Every person invited at least one person to church per week? (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
  
  
• Every congregational member brought at least one new person a year into the church family?
  
  
• Everyone made a point to talk with at least one new/different person a week at church?
  
  
• Everyone greeted any new faces at worship, Bible study or church activities? (Php. 4:21)
  
  
• Every adult member was making regular visits of some kind to other members?
  
  
• Every person begged to have their gifts utilized in the Lord’s work? (1 Pet. 4:10)
  
  
• Each of us tithed (gave 10%) of our income to the Lord? (Mal. 3:10)
  
  
• Every member designated a gift to their congregation in their will?
  
  
• Every member did at least five special activities of ministry (service) a year? (Eph. 6:7)
  
  
• Every believer eagerly filled Jesus’ “new command” to love one another? (Jn. 13:34)
  
  
• Each of us “clothed ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” as we deal with one another? (Col. 3:12)
  
  
• We forgive one another as the Lord forgave us? (Col. 3:13)
  
  
• Everyone made it their goal to encourage others in their walk with God? (1 Thes. 5:10-11)
  
  
• Everyone perfectly understood and applied Christian freedom? (Gal. 5:13)
  
  
• Everyone put the best construction on everything others said and did?
  
  
• Every member was willing to lovingly rebuke a believing brother or sister where necessary? (2 Tim. 2:2)
  
  
• Everyone was able to rejoice in and listen to a loving rebuke from another?
  
  
• Everyone was comfortable enough to talk to others and seek godly advice about their life decisions?
  
  
• We totally trusted the Lord regarding everything? (Prov. 3:5-6)
  
  
• Each of us gave thanks in all circumstances, as God wills? (1 Thes. 5:18)
  
  
• Everyone strived to glorify God in every thought and action they did? (1 Cor. 10:31)
  
  
• We didn’t make excuses; we just did what we know is right?

Are there any items that should be added to this list?  Any that especially spoke to you?  I’d be delighted to hear your thoughts in the comments section. 

Thanks be to God for Jesus our Savior – for the atonement he made for us, the forgiveness he won for us, and the salvation he earned for us!  And thanks be to God that we are able to live for Jesus our Savior!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.