Resolve to do it Right!

New Year’s Day is a day of new beginnings and a day of making a fresh start on things. Because of that it is a popular day starting efforts to do things “right,” in other words to make those “New Years Resolutions.”

People make all kinds of resolutions, you probably have too. Common examples are: to lose weight, to get those jobs around the house done, to save money, to spend more time with your spouse and children, and more. Those are all good, but what kind of resolution would God like you to make?

Well I am sure there are many things God wants each of us to improve that could be good resolutions. We do not have to guess about what He would call an excellent resolution because the Bible tells us about one resolution every Christian should make each year! In fact, the Christmas story that we recently read introduces us to it.

In the Christmas story, we meet Joseph of Nazareth. Joseph is far more than a Jewish carpenter who happens to be engaged to Mary. Matthew introduces him as “a righteous man.” {Matthew 1:19} That designation puts Josephin some very select biblical company. It ranks him with such worthies as Noah and Abraham! It means he sought to conform his life to the will and character of God. The brief record of his life in Matthew and Luke shows his efforts to live this way and his belief in God.

As I looked into what the Bible says about righteousness I found some interesting facts.

First, absolute righteousness is unattainable on our own. Rather “this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” {Romans 3:22} From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is clear that belief / faith in God is foundational for righteousness. Through this faith, God works in us to bring about righteousness.

Second, righteousness is more than a mental exercise. The Bible admonishes us to live it out! The oft-quoted verse in Habakkuk tells us “the righteous will live by his faith.” {Habakkuk 2:4} This is an active purposeful activity, Jesus instructs us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” {Matthew 6:33} Paul tells us to “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” {2 Timothy 2:22} The Old Testament echoes this “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” {Proverbs 21:21}

Third, righteousness is something we choose. It is a goal, a destination we choose to go toward. The language of Jesus, Paul, and Proverbs all point to the necessity of each person choosing whether to do this. Notice their choice of words, seek, flee, pursue those are actions you choose to do.

Joseph chose to believe in God, he put his active faith in God, and then he chose to set his life in the pursuit of righteousness. This big decision made the other ones in the Christmas story much easier. Each decision shows he continually reaffirmed his decision to believe and pursue righteousness.

This week seriously think about your resolutions and follow Joseph in resolving to live out your faith by pursuing His righteousness.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker December 2003



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker