Sad, but true, most of us make resolutions to change our lives in some way or another, only to fall victim to the same bad habits within a day or two. In some ways, it’s kind of like our relationship with God. With every day, we come to Him and ask forgiveness for our sins and within a short time we’ve sinned again.
Is it part of our human makeup to break our promises? Do we sincerely repent in one minute and within the next, we’re right back at it with a vengeance?
Paul, the apostle of Christ, knew this was a problem for all of us. This man, who once was a devout Jew on the warpath for all those who followed Jesus, became a follower himself. His acts of terror towards Christians was well known across the land. After spending 3 years being educated by the One he was persecuting, he knew that our human behavior is coated with sin – that original sin, passed down from the time of man’s fall from God.
In Romans 7:19 he talks about this failure to do good. It’s that flaw in our human character.
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
Alone, we are incapable of doing any good. Even though our sins have been forgiven – once for all – by the blood of Christ – we daily need to come to God with repentant hearts to be reminded that our sins are forgiven. I think, for most of us, it is hardest for us to forgive ourselves. God paid the ransom, yet we still need the reassurance that we have been made right with Him.
God has provided the way out for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. This gives us a gigantic hope for the future – a future of eternity in paradise. We also know that we can come directly to God, confess our sins and be assured that they’ve already been forgiven.
We are human beings, just like Paul was. As hard as we try, there is nothing we can do to personally achieve salvation. God, in His unconditional love for us, makes it possible.
So maybe you’ve already broken one of your resolutions to do better this year. I don’t even bother making them anymore, because I know I won’t keep them. But isn’t it great to know that we have the King of grace and mercy walking right beside us, every minute of every day?
atimetoshare.me 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Mahalo❤️️
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Aloha 😍
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Well said. I also do not make new year’s resolutions. If I am going to fast, I put it off until Lent comes around. J.
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I’ve never fasted. Another one of my failings. Thanks for your comments on today
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Well, January is gray and ugly enough without going through the shock of giving up sweets or coffee or drinking (lol): a few weeks later, the pain isn’t quite so bad. J.
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Hope I feel differently when Lent comes around.
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Every day is like January first with God!! I started thinking that way and it’s so much more encouraging and real than going by a calendar!!
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Great way to plan each day. Thanks for your comment 😍
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Your image stole my idea. I ‘resolved’ to check my weight daily. Each time that I was down a pound or two, I would take credit for it. Each time I went back up, I would ignore it. They way that my weight bounces, I could lose 100 pounds this year.
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I’m the same. The wonder how many pounds I’ve lost and regained in my life.
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My wife used to refer to my gray sweatpants as the gray elephants, so no, I do not want to know how many pounds I’ve lost and gained. Lol.
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