2 Corinthians 5:6-15 – 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
This time of year involves many resolutions, which can be defined as making firm determinations to do something (dictionary.com). There’s certainly nothing wrong for Christians to make the typical New Year’s resolutions, such as to lose weight, increase one’s income or even buy a house. However, with regards to resolutions there must be significant differences between how a Christian and a non-Christian pursues them. How are they prioritized when compared with what God specifically demands from those who profess Christ? When push comes to shove, what ends up being sacrificed—God’s desires or our desires? The determining factor of how those questions are answered is if they are placed under a Christian’s main ambition, which is to please Christ. Since that is to be our primary focus, the goal cannot be merely accomplishing our resolutions, but rather if we are committed to pleasing Christ in the process and even pleasing to Christ if He does not grant our desires or resolutions. So it could be said there’s only one New Year’s resolution that really matters and all others must serve that one. Paul stated it in 2 Cor. 5:9…we make it our aim to please him.