More than a Resolution
by Brandy Webb
The New Year is always when many of us come up with resolutions/goals. It is a good thing to see something that you may need to improve on or change in your life. We are human; therefore, there will always be room for improvement. Unfortunately though, according to a survey by Statista, only four percent of people who made New Year’s resolutions actually kept all of them*. I am no expert, but I think maybe when the only person that we are accountable to is ourselves, we sometimes fall short.
That is why we need to hold ourselves accountable to God and His Word, and set goals that align with His will. Well, today I had one of those moments where a few scriptures kind of hit me between the eyes. They were Philippians 2:14-16:
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
This is more than a resolution, this is a transformation. Just think about how hard it is to not complain about something at least once in a day. I have been reading through the Exodus, and I sometimes see myself when I read the grumblings of the Israelites. I am not a constant complainer, but I do find myself complaining. The truth is there are times where I have just been praising God for a great blessing when a trial hits, and the next thing I know the joy of the blessing is gone, replaced by complaining. This is not what God desires.
How do we shine brightly in a crooked world, we “do all things” without complaint and arguing. Not an easy thing to do, but obviously, it is not an impossible thing to accomplish. No one enjoys trials and tribulations, no one likes to struggle, no one enjoys loss; however, complaining about it just makes the pain worse. Given, sometimes to be able to overcome the temptation of grumbling, we have to rely on God’s Spirit to comfort us and fill us with its fruit. Not complaining may seem like an impossible task, but it isn’t with God’s help.
Then, there is the “no disputing” part in the scripture. There is a list in Proverbs that reveals six things God hates and seven that are an abomination to Him. Here is the list:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:17-19, emphasis mine).
Discord, disputes, arguing, etc., among brethren is unacceptable to God. A house divided cannot stand (Mark 3:25). We are God’s “house.” In order for His house to stand tall and shine brightly, we have to put aside our differences and strive to get along. Instead of causing divisions, we need to “provoke one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This requires us to strive to stop complaining and look for the good in each other.
These words from Paul are just as applicable today as they were when he wrote them. We are to be transformed by the Word of God, making us different than the world around us. Therefore, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Jesus, Matthew 5:16).
*https://www.statista.com/statistics/953562/share-of-americans-who-stuck-to-their-new-year-s-resolutions/