Next Sunday we will be beginning a new year on the calendar. I know that resolutions can be made at any time, and do not need to wait until the calendar turns its page. But, this is as good a time as any to review your commitment to the Lord, and determine to better in the future. So, might I make a few suggestions…
Work on Your Love
The two great commandments, emphasized by Jesus for us as well, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
Love is foundational to being a Christian. It is the motivation that leads us to submit ourselves to the Lord. It is why we express our concern and interest in the spiritual welfare of others. The interesting thing about love, as it is expressed in scripture, is that it is commanded. When someone says they can’t help who they love, they are wrong. We are unlovable, and yet God sent His son to die, expressing His love for us regardless! In exchange, we are commanded to love one another. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14).
As 1 Corinthians 13 indicates, love is seen through action. Are you longsuffering toward your brethren? Are you kind? Humble? Patient? Polite? A lover of truth? Have there been instances in your past where such was not so? This is the starting point for all of us — Work on your Love!
Work on Your Zeal
Apathetic followers are absolutely unpalatable to the Lord. He made this clear in his letter to the church in Laodicea. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). It seems to me that it is a matter of expectation here. Jesus does not expect anything from those who deny Him. They are cold to the gospel, and therefore He will get nothing from them. However, it is a great disappointment for one to proclaim Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and yet expend little effort in serving Him. He expects and deserves much more for us.
Such zeal requires giving Jesus His proper place in our lives. Work, family, recreation, hobbies all have the potential to displace the Lord in our lives. Minimizing our duty and responsibility to the Lord is common, and to be frank, it contemptible. He died for us, He deserves better. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
Work on Your Thanksgiving
In Luke 17, the text records a group of 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus. Their cries were pitiful as they lifted up their voices, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (13). He told them to go show themselves to the priests, “And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed” (14). One of
them returned to Jesus after being cleansed, “and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (15-16). Consider Jesus’ words, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (17-18).
Each of us have been blessed greatly by the Lord. The physical blessings that are enjoyed by even the poorest among us is reason for thanksgiving. And then there is the obvious. Beyond any physical circumstance, Jesus’ death on the cross affords each of us the hope of heaven. There is not greater blessing, and no greater reason to praise and thank the Lord. Do we give God glory? Do we express daily and often our great appreciation for all that He has done for us? Are our words sincere and deeply felt? They should be!
“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”(Revelation 5:13).
More can be said, about increasing your prayers to God, about sharing the gospel to your friends and family, about studying the Bible daily, about consistently attending the worship services and classes that meet each week. But, to be honest, if your love, zeal, and thanksgiving are insufficient, the others will not improve.
Conversely, if you love the Lord your God with all your heart; if you are zealous for good works; if you are quick to praise Him, and share with Him your thanksgiving every day; then everything else will automatically fall into place.
