Did You Make Resurrection Resolutions?
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. — Eph. 1:19-20
What were your New Year’s Resolutions? If you remember them, are you still keeping your resolutions? According to U.S. News and Reports, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by February, so the odds of keeping your resolutions are against you. Australian Matthew Payne says that Christians should not make New Year’s Resolutions. He argues,
We [Christians] should make Resurrection Resolutions instead. In a sense this is what all Christians should be doing anyway, but let’s make it an explicit part of Easter. Tell your neighbor that you don’t make New Year’s Resolutions but that you make Resurrection Resolutions instead. “What’s that?” they ask. You answer: “it’s like New Year’s resolutions, except it isn’t futile. God promises that through the power of Jesus’ resurrection we really can change. It’s not all up to me anymore.”
Payne is right. Without relying on the resurrection power of Jesus, we will fail on our own attempt to change. We can only change through the “incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in him … the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). Instead of relying on our strength, willpower and grit, those of us who believe in Jesus will experience God’s incredible power — true life change. So, let me ask you, What are your Resurrection Resolutions for 2019? In Romans 6:4, the Apostle Paul teaches, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We are raised to life!
As we celebrate Jesus defeating death on this Easter Sunday, let us remember that Jesus not only removed our sins from us, but also enabled us to live in newness of life. He is Risen!
