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Ron Writes

It's that time again. Get it? Again! It’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Another year to resolve. A time to decide to start or stop again. These changes are well intended, greatly needed, but typically, short lived. In fact, we’re told that the second Friday in January is designated as “Quitter’s Day” since the average new year’s resolution only lasts for 2 weeks. Mark Twain is remembered for saying, “Giving up smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times.” We want to live better but lack strength and discipline.  

Some think of resolutions as the world’s version of repentance. Both involve change, but they’re not the same.  

Repentance is a constant theme of Scripture. It’s the call to turn away from our old lives of sin and turn to God. It’s a call for a complete transformation based on our relationship with God. It’s not a call to lose weight, break bad habits or start a new hobby. The blood of Jesus shouts that we must take sin seriously. Repentance tells us that we can come to God with our brokenness, embarrassment, and contrite hearts. It tells us that God loves us more that we can imagine. It accepts the healing, forgiveness and cleansing that only God’s mercy and grace can give. It’s a call for a totally different worldview.

Resolutions tend to be based on self-effort, while repentance acknowledges a much higher power willing to work in our lives for spiritual transformation. There is no substitute for the power of God working in our lives.