So! It’s a New Year….What’s the big deal?

So many people get so worked up and make such a big ordeal about January 1st of the next new year.

There’s nothing magical or mysterious or special about starting a new year, a new month, and a new day.

You have no more or no less power, influence, grace, forgiveness, wisdom, etc. than you did one minute before at 11:59 p.m. The previous year.

If you’re still the same person at 12 a.m. January 1st that you were at 11:59 p.m. December 31st, nothing has changed. It’s just another day.

It’s a day on a timeline that we have created. We mark our lives with minutes, hours, days, months, and years. None of those can change us. The only thing that can change us is the work of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. He works through us when we allow Jesus to be Lord of our life.

You see, God is timeless. He was before the beginning of time and He endures into eternity and forever. God always was, always is, and always will be. He doesn’t fit on a timeline.

What you need, not just for the new year, or for today, or tomorrow and into eternity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I’m not talking about just believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again. You see, the Bible says even the demons believe and they tremble.

If you’ve started a relationship with Jesus Christ, what does that look like. Do you spend time with him? Do you talk to him? Do you read his word? Do you obey him? Does he walk with you? Are you becoming an image-bearer of Jesus Christ? Are you the Light of Christ in this Dark World? Are you the salt or have you lost your flavor?

Jesus said some things that are very challenging.

“If you love me keep my commandments.” John 14:15.

“Truly Truly I say to you, if anyone keeps my word he will never see death.” John 8:51.

“If any of you want to be my followers you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.” Luke 9:23.

“Unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God…You must be born again.” John 3:5.

Being a Christian is more than easy believism. Some of you are more concerned about how much weight you will lose, or how much money you will make, and what new goals you can achieve.

The most important thing you can do this year is to return to your first love. Make Jesus first and best. Let Jesus change you and make you a better person. What needs to change this year is you! If YOU do not change then nothing in your life will.

Here is something to think about for 2020 and each new year ahead.

Jesus didn’t become like the world. He didn’t follow the earthly patterns this world offers. If he had become like everyone else then the world would have no one to follow! Jesus did what pleases the Father. He loved the lost, but he didn’t behave like them.

We as Christians are called to be set apart and holy. The word of God tells us not to follow the patterns of this world. If you become like them, then who will they follow. If you are not different then you are useless because they already have themselves to follow.

Follow Jesus and his ways, then you can tell others, “Follow me as I follow Christ!”

May your New Years resolution be one that will impact you spiritually and make a difference for eternity.