I AM RESOLVED

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

This is the time of the year when people will make all kinds of resolutions. Some they will keep, most they won’t keep. However, there is one resolution that is not made or not kept. Most people fail to resolve to follow the savior Jesus Christ. They resolve to follow a budget, follow a diet plan, or follow through on career goals, but never do they truly resolve to follow Jesus.

The psalmist says in Psalm 119:2, “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.” The one who is truly resolved to follow the Lord is one who will put his whole heart into the service of the Lord. The opposite is true, however. Jesus said of the religious folk of his day, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you saying, this people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrine the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:7-9). If the people were truly resolved to follow the Lord, they would not have held on to their own traditions.

So many today say and do not (see Matt. 21:28-30). They give the Lord “lip service” Yet will not do what they have resolved. They say they love the Lord, yet will not keep all of His commandments (John 14:15). They say they know the Lord, yet will not take the time to learn of him (Matt. 11:29). The Lord wants more than their lips. He wants their minds, bodies and souls (Matt. 22:37).

Dear reader, during this time of resolution making, why don’t you resolve to follow the Lord with all your heart by doing all that He says. Then and only then will your way be prosperous. This is one resolution you must keep!