NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

December 2025

At the end of the year, we often take time to reflect on our lives—how things are going, the struggles we face, and the changes we feel are needed. Around New Year’s Eve, people commonly make resolutions, promises, and confessions about the need to change. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are unrealistic, not taken seriously, and quickly abandoned when determination fades.

As followers of Christ, Scripture calls us to regularly test, reconsider, evaluate, and examine our lives to see how they measure up to the obedience Christians are called to live out if salvation is truly the result of our beliefs.

The Christmas season—with its joy, excitement, celebration of Christ’s birth, and remembrance of the fulfillment of prophecy—is an ideal time to conduct a spiritual self-examination. It is an opportunity to make any necessary resolutions, adjustments, and repentance. We have a duty and responsibility to ensure that we are living the life Jesus calls us to live—the same life we promised to pursue when we accepted His offer of salvation and eternal life. When we publicly accepted Him, did we not take that commitment seriously and offer our lives in obedience to His service?

Some people, including pastors, say that all one must do is accept Jesus as Lord and Savior to be saved. According to Scripture, that statement is incomplete and often taken out of context. The passages below indicate that salvation involves more than verbal acceptance; it requires ongoing obedience and a willingness to examine our lives and make necessary changes.

Regarding self-examination, Scripture instructs us clearly. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Likewise, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to “test all things; hold fast to what is good.” Does this not imply that failing the test has serious consequences regarding salvation?

Obedience is the measure of the sincerity of our commitment. 1 John 2:4 states, “Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”

Other Scriptures reinforce this call to obedience:

• Colossians 3:22 instructs servants to obey sincerely, with upright hearts and reverence for God.
• Romans 13:5 teaches that obedience is not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
• Matthew 7:21 warns that not everyone who claims Jesus as Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father.
• Acts 3:19 calls us to repent—to change our hearts and lives—so that sins may be wiped away and times of spiritual refreshment may come from the Lord.
• 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that God is patient, desiring that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

If you choose to seriously consider these Scriptures, examine yourself honestly, repent when necessary, and make meaningful adjustments to your life, those resolutions will not be temporary—they will have eternal significance.