NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS:  II Peter 1:5-7

As 2014 begins and we possibly think about resolutions that we want to put into place for the new year – things we want to do differently and better - I’ve been thinking that it would be good for you and me to look at the goals that God wants us to aim for in 2014.  He’s listed them in II Peter 1:5-7, and He has asked us to diligently employ every effort to add these things to our faith.

He starts out with excellence (or “virtue”).  I think He puts this first because it constitutes a “mindset of excellence” – being willing to make Him Lord of every minute of our lives.

We can’t please Him without knowledge – “gnosis” – (the act of) “knowing” Him and His Word.  That means making it #1 priority every day to dig into His Word, ask the Holy Spirit to give us personal application, study diligently for correct interpretation, memorize His Word, pray His Word.  Our goal needs to be full, personal knowledge of Him (“epignosis”, II Peter 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20) – personal relationship with the King of Kings.

We can only do this with self-control – putting aside our personal wants and lusts for the moment and instead following the Holy Spirit’s lead – dying to the “self” within us, kicking out the sin nature that wants to take control.  “Self” controlled by the Holy Spirit – this is the bedrock for a life of obedience.    

But it has to be done with steadfastness – patience and endurance – over and over, until the way of the Spirit becomes our way of life.

This steadfastness of purpose leads to godliness (“eusebeia)” in our lives – growing in the “divine nature” (verse 4), as we begin to reverence and worship God the way He deserves (with all of our life).

As we develop the proper inside attitudes and relationship to God, we then automatically react to those around us with brotherly kindness – fulfilling their needs as the Holy Spirit directs. 

And with this groundwork, the ultimate goal - love (“agapen”), as the Father loves us – begins to take over our heart response to others.  We begin to have their “highest good” as our desire.

These are the “resolutions” that God wants to become “ours” and wants to see “increasingly abound” (verse 8) in us.  Wow!  I have a LONG way to go!  But……He says in verse 3 that “His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that are required for life and godliness, through the full, personal knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence.”  So, the power and the ability are there; I just have to start with resolving to let God be Lord, not me, and follow through with “diligently employing every effort” to grow in these virtues He so desires in me.  Likewise with you.     

 Have a blessed New Year, filled with victory.