Every new year we see it everywhere: social media, ads, our friends and family. New Year’s Resolutions. It seems that everybody is doing them, and we even feel guilty for not joining in. But that brings up the question:
Are New Year’s resolutions even Biblical?
To a degree, I think yes. But it’s not necessarily what the world thinks of when it comes to resolutions or goal setting. Which in all honesty shouldn’t come as a shock since we are called to not think, talk, act or live like the world does.
While the Bible doesn’t ever mention New Year’s resolutions, it does talk a lot about transformation, which is essentially what we set those goals in January for.
I personally don’t set resolutions. But as I was praying and processing through who I wanted to become in 2021, and consequently getting discouraged at myself for how far I have to go still, the Holy Spirit put this gentle reminder on my heart:
Any and all transformation is only done by and through the Spirit.
Not me. Not my achievements, hard work or striving, but God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power.
- I can’t work harder to become a better version of myself if I don’t first accept what God says about me.
- I can’t strive to do better in an area of my life if I haven’t first received God’s grace for my brokenness.
- I can’t accomplish my dreams if I first don’t surrender my life to Christ and follow God’s will for my life.
And that’s where the world and Bible differ. The world tells you to just grind more, work harder, strive more to make these goals happen for yourself and by yourself. But that’s not what God is saying. God believes in the transformation, He just doesn’t agree with the world’s method.
So let’s look at what God says (remember 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us all Scripture is God-breathed):
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (or reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.“
Romans 12:2 + Colossians 1:9
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.“
Even gaining the Holy Spirit to do the transforming was not of my own accord but because God gave Him to me (see also Ephesians 1:13-14).
Across all of these verses we see freedom, transformation, and taking care of ourselves physically and mentally — all super great and important things to want to do! The problem becomes when we think or deceive ourselves into believing that we only get there through ourselves and our work.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works so that no one can boast.”
Transformation, freedom, physical and mental renewal and healing are ALL possible, but only by God through the Holy Spirit.
Because the truth is: You can’t transform myself unless the Holy Spirit has already taken up His home in you and you’re following His guidance. And even once He has, it’s not you who does the transforming, but simply you learning about and bending to God’s good and perfect will. Everything good in your life comes as a gift from God (see James 1:17)
And I think this is SO important for us to understand because in this world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the thinking of if I just strive more, try harder, and do “x, y, z” then I’ll get there and that is such a toxic thought to our minds, souls, and spirits. Not only that, but it’s setting aside grace (undeserved favor) and the purpose of Jesus. As Galatians 2:21 says “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
I’m not telling you to not set goals or resolutions, or that you’re bad for wanting to achieve your dreams or goals. But as Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course but the Lord establishes their steps.”
So maybe instead of putting all your focus and energy into achieving those, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, which He has graciously given you through Jesus, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). Turn your focus and attention to Jesus this year, and watch the transformations that begin happening. I promise you, you will not regret giving your year and surrendering your life to Christ, but you probably will regret wasting away your life chasing after things that will ultimately fail and fade.
That’s why my verse of the year is Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders snd the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
