Resolved to Give All

As 2017 draws to a close many of you have made resolutions for the coming year. If you’re honest, some of those same resolutions appear on the list year after year, but this time you mean it. I’ve never been big on making resolutions, but I am making one this year. Maybe you will consider making this resolution with me.

This time of year always makes me think about an old choir anthem we used to sing in Florida called Firmly Committed. Here is the chorus:

I am firmly committed to the cause of Christ,

Determined to serve Him for the rest of my life

Resolved to give all, no matter the price

I am firmly committed to the cause of Christ.

If you are looking for a New Year’s resolution, will you consider resolving to give all for Christ? While that is an all-encompassing resolution, I want to give you four specific areas in which we can resolve to give all this year.

First, in study. 2 Timothy 2:15 says we should study in order to rightly interpret the Word of truth. Psalm 1:2 says the blessed man will meditate on God’s word day and night. In this new year we should determine to study God’s word more so that we can be better equipped for life.

Next, in service. At the end of Paul’s life he was able to confidently write that he had run the race well and finished his course; he knew that rewards awaited him because of his life’s ministry (2 Timothy 4:5-7). We often speak of the end of a Christian’s life in terms of God calling that person home. My goal is to give away so much of myself in service that there isn’t much left for God to take when that time comes.

Third, in soul-winning. While there are many important things in life, none trumps telling someone about Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul reminded the church that his resolution was to focus on the things of Christ when he was with them. We need to determine to share the gospel with more people in 2018.

Finally, in sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus every day. It involves purging old sin and abstaining from it (2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Are you more like Christ at the end of 2017 than you were at the beginning of it? You should be, and you should determine to be more like Him at the end of 2018.

If you will join me in resolving to give all in 2018, I believe this world will be a much better place this time next year.