Resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. Millions of people make New Year’s resolutions. Yet, within a few days or weeks they fail to keep the resolution. God desires for us to make a firm resolution to serve Him daily. What does it mean to serve God? What does it mean to have an intimate relationship with God?
We start with a new birth experience of repentance of our sins, obey the command to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:38. We are buried with Him in baptism to rise and walk in a newness of life with our Creator that now lives in us through His Spirit.
Micah 6:8 gives simple instructions: Micah 6:8 (NLT) “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” From the revelation of the Word of God, we are told to do what is right. Make honest decisions filled with integrity from God. God was merciful to us through His death on the cross and He forgave us of our sins. We must be merciful to others because God is merciful to us. When we give God all the glory for everything in our lives, this is walking humbly with Him. To sum it up: make choices to do what is right, have mercy and compassion on others, give God all the glory!
When we do what Micah 6:8 tells us to do, we will be living in a God-conscious state of mind. We will filter every thought, feeling and action through God first. We will allow the Holy Ghost to reign in our hearts and control our words and our actions. Our life either gives glory to God or takes away glory from God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) 19 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Others watch our lives and are looking for godliness. Does your life glorify God? Can others tell that God is the center of all your decisions? We belong to God, not ourselves.
I do not make New Year’s resolutions. I made a decision to follow God as a child and I have not strayed from that decision. The Holy Ghost that I received at the age of nine yeas old is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until His coming! Psalms 119: 9 – 11 says, 9 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. When we make a resolution to love and serve God, we can keep it through our choices. It’s a choice whether to allow God full control over our lives. We (all ages) cleanse our way by obeying the Word of God – it’s a choice. When we hide the Word of God in our hearts, by His Spirit we have the strength to live Holy as He is Holy!
Allowing God to reign in our hearts is a daily choice – a resolution to live obeying the Word of God. Young people do NOT have to sow their ‘wild oats.’ It is a choice to do so. Our bodies are the temple of God – God in us the hope of glory. If God is in control, we do not allow our bodies to be involved in sin. If you sincerely love God, you will choose to be godly. If you love the lust of this world, you will choose sin. It’s always a choice. I can do ALL things through Christ. If we allow Him, through His Spirit He enables us to stand strong and give Him glory through our actions!
We are an open book read of all men. Men will know us by our fruits – either godly or ungodly. I choose to be resolute in my walk with God. You can choose to do the same thing. How? Devour the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit – you will be praying God’s perfect will and building up your most holy faith.
We all have 168 hours in our week. If we attended church 8 hours a week and slept 60 hours a week, we still have 100 hours in our week to do all we do ‘heartily as unto the Lord.’ Do the people around you know you are a Christian by your words and actions? Our life is a testimony or a witness for the Lord. How we live daily is our true worship unto the Lord. Praising God in church is only a small portion of our worship. God examines our hearts and knows us by the Fruit of His Spirit – love, joy and peace is attained by being longsuffering, kind, good, faithful, gentle and having self-control. I choose to be resolute in my commitment to love and serve God daily!
© Carol Clemans – December 2014
(Note: I love God with my whole being and love sharing God’s truth with others. As a Certified Pastoral Counselor, I provide nationwide confidential counseling by phone/Skype – (636) 448-0121. I speak at churches and conferences sharing God’s anointed Word. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for bio, 100+ articles, teaching CD’s & DVD’s, book: “God’s Design for Marriage.”)