The dawn of a New Year provides a very natural opportunity for us as believers to pause and take stock. It is a time when we should both reflect on the year that is past and ask ourselves if in 2013 we truly lived to please and glorify God, and to look forward asking how can we live in 2014 in a way that will produce a greater likeness to Christ.
For many, even for many professing Christians, the solution to living a more holy life seems to be in making New Year resolutions that set a benchmark enable us to live better lives. The answer to living as God has called us to live in Christ is, of course, not in New Year resolutions however well-intentioned, but rather in setting before us the Word of God. Our guide for living is the moral law of God summarized in the Ten Commandments.
Against the backdrop of a society that is lawless in its rejection of God’s law, it is imperative that God’s true believing people delight in and obey God’s law with a heart of love for Christ. Jesus said, ‘If ye love me; keep my commandments’ (John 14:15).
Would you desire to live godly in Christ in 2014? Then make God’s word your infallible rule and guide. Embrace its precepts with all your heart. Hear the words of the Psalmist,
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments (Psalm 119:1-6).
Listen to his testimony,
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me (Psalm 119:40-50).
Oh to have the Psalmist’s heart! Obedience to the Word of God brings the promise of God’s abiding love and presence, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:21, 23).
To love God and walk in the ways of God is to walk with God. May you know what it is to walk with God throughout this New Year.
Editorial by Director of Ministry