Sunday 20 January 2019

New Year's Resolutions


Philip asked us last week if we had made any new year resolutions, I must admit, I hadn't, I don't ever consider doing so. But Philip asked us to think about having a commitment to doing certain things this year. To resolve to do things that are set out for us in God’s Word, and he shared with us from Hebrews 10:19-25


Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Be bold, be confident in seeking and coming before God. There is nothing to stop us now, we don't have to shrink back, we are told we can come before God boldly, having confidence through Jesus that we will not be turned away.

Draw near, worship God with a true heart, this is a natural thing for a born-again person to do. We have assurance of our salvation through Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins, He is our High Priest, (we need no other priest), He is our Advocate before the Father, (we need no man as a go between).

Hold fast, to our hope, He who has saved us is faithful and just, we need not waver, we need not doubt, because it is all in Him, we are not saved by our own merit, we are not saved by what we have accomplished, we are not saved because we are worthy. We are saved because of what Jesus has accomplished because He alone was worthy to be a sacrifice for our sins.

Consider one another, resolve to put others first, don't think more highly of yourself but in humility and compassion, help one another, consider one another's needs, and do all the good you can, to all the brethren you can, whenever you can.

Assemble with other believers, there is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian, you cannot live the Christian life and neglect being with other Christian for prayer, worship, and the study of God's Word. A piece of coal that falls from the fire soon goes cold, but put it back on the fire and it soon begins to glow again. Some people can't meet with other Christians, such as those who are persecuted, some are extremely sick, but we who can, should not neglect this privilege, and we should remember in prayer those who can't.

So, this year Christian brother or sister, resolve to know God more, draw near to Him, be bold in coming before Him, hold fast in your hope, consider one another, and keep in fellowship with one another. Remember we don't know when the Lord is coming, but we do know for certain that He is.