HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
The beginning of a new year often presents us with new opportunities, a desire to make changes–resolutions!–in our lives, and just the idea of a restart. While the setting of personal goals can be a good thing, I believe all of these can be summed up in one overarching idea or goal, and that is simply this: to Pursue Christ. When we do this, many of our other “goals” will seem to fall into place as we become more submissive to God’s will for our lives. In Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV), Paul writes: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” In other words, we are to progress in our walk with Christ on a daily basis, “working out” our salvation–disciplining ourselves in our pursuit of Him. In fact, God will even help us to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, as verse 13 indicates. So if our goal is to Pursue Christ in 2023, how can it be done? Here are three “Mini-Pursuits” that help start you on your way.
Pursue Maturity– We want to grow toward spiritual maturity, to be more Christlike. We can do this by growing in our knowledge of Scripture! Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Apply it. (2 Tim. 3:16) We should spend time in prayer on a continual basis. Paul tells us to “Pray without ceasing”, and we should always have a mindset of prayer as we go throughout our day. Another way to pursue maturity is to attend church regularly. Fellowship with other believers and learning from their example and studying God’s word together helps us grow!
Pursue Purity – We should seek to live lives that do not hinder our relationship with God or other believers. Flee temptation. Practically speaking, that could involve setting certain boundaries in areas of our lives, especially with technology. Our desire should be what Paul wrote to Titus: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…” (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Pursue Activity – Scripture clearly teaches us that we are not saved BY any works that we do–salvation is a gift from God. BUT we are saved in order to DO good works. (Eph. 2:8-10). Find a way to get involved. If there is a ministry you feel led to do, let’s find a way to do it! The point is that we all have work to do for the Kingdom, regardless of how big or small we might think the work is.
So Pursue Christ. Pursue Him with fear and trembling–with the great awe, honor, and respect He is due. I pray the Lord’s blessings on each of you and on Central Baptist Church in this New Year.
(This article can also be found in our January Newsletter, but just thought I’d repost for those who might have missed it!)
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