A New Year & A New You!

That’s what New Years is about or so it seems. Every year people look at the approaching new year as a time of bettering themselves. Doing something different from the previous year that is far better than previous years. That’s what resolutions are for right? Did you know that research shows that 50% of individuals make resolutions each year? The sad thing is that the same research shows that only 10% actually keep those resolutions. Why? It’s a new year and a new you, so why is it such a struggle to do that which we set out to do?

Many have told me over the years that people do what they want to do. I’ll add to that by saying that if “we” as human beings are left to our own devices that we will ultimately settle back on what our defaults are. Let me explain. In 2nd Corinthians 2:10-16 Paul says,

“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

What that means is simply this; that in Christ you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). That when you realized your state as a sinner and your need of salvation, and that when you called out to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness’ making him Lord of your life you were changed. You were given a new nature driven by the Holy Spirit on top of your old nature. Paul then says that it’s the Spirit that is part of this new nature given to us that seeks God and to know Him more. The compelling work of this same Spirit is that he searches you and through the work of sanctification (making you more like Jesus) that he actually helps you to become the person God wants you to be. A person more like his Son!

What does that have to do with a new year and a new you? In answer it has everything to do with it. Paul says that the “natural man” cannot discern (or know) the things of God. In fact, they are foolishness to him. So, we have this desire in us I believe, this inborn drive to do better; to be better. But ultimately, without Christ what the Bible says is that we will not get there. Why? Because if we are left to our own devices, we will eventually fall back on to what is natural for us to do. Eventually we will give up. We will feel defeated and yet not know why when the truth is simple. We cannot something like this on our own. Sure, the drive may be there at times, but the energy, the “umph” that is needed won’t be. Our spiritual tank will be empty.
So how does one then become the “new you?” It’s simple. Start at the basics and ask yourself this question. What is the foundation of “you” built upon? If it’s Christ, then you have readily available to you all that you need to become that better you. But you must first listen to what He is telling you and then walk in obedience before that power will do you any good. If your foundation is not built on Christ, then you need to turn to Matt. 7:24-27 and read the parable about the two houses. One was built on the rock and when the storms came it stood. The other was built on the sand and when the storms hit that house it perished. What I want you to pay particular attention to is what Jesus said at the end,

“and great was the fall of it!”

What do you want your house to be built on in this new year? The building materials are all laid out before you, but the choice is yours as to which you choose to build with. I advise you to build on the rock to truly experience the “new you” that you can be in Christ.