It’s traditional to make New Year’s Resolutions on 1st January. But it’s also common for these to be broken very early in the year. Some studies suggest that many are broken in the first week, and significantly more by the end of February.
There are several reasons. The time might not be right to make a life change; unexpected problems arise; the resolution may have been too ambitious…
Breaking promises can be very serious. God asks us to keep our word:
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow (Ecclesiastes 5:4).
The Jewish nation promised to obey God (Exodus 19:7-8), but they failed. God sent them a series of prophets to reform them; but this had little effect, so the nation was taken captive just as God had warned (Jeremiah 25:8-9).
In the New Testament, the disciple Peter promised to follow Jesus to death.
Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same (Matthew 26:34-35).
Soon afterwards, at Jesus’ trial, Peter was under pressure and afraid. He did indeed deny Jesus, with cursing and swearing (v. 75). But Jesus knew Peter’s heart and forgave him. Peter later became a passionate preacher of the gospel.
The Gospel is the call to repent and to follow Jesus. Committing your life to Jesus is a critically important life decision and not a resolution to break lightly. We might think that the time is not right, or that we would not be able to face the consequences, or that we will mess up. But we need to remember that God never asks more of us than we can do. He has promised to help us through any problems or obstacles. He is also very forgiving. And time is running out – when Jesus returns, it will be too late!
You may have already broken your New Year’s Resolutions: but now is a good time to resolve to find and to follow Jesus Christ.
Anna Hart
Comments or questions? E-mail editor@gladtidingsmagazine.org
