Tis the season for resolutions. Most resolutions center on stopping some perceived negative behavior (like over eating, smoking, or spending beyond one’s means) or starting some perceived positive behavior (like working out, living more simply or more intentionally).

No doubt you’ll make some resolutions; I know I will.

For Presbyterians, some resolutions in 2012 will take the form of overtures to the General Assembly. These also tend to focus on the cessation of some perceived injustice (like abortion, war, or the inequitable distribution of wealth) or initiating or amplifying some perceived good (like bringing an end to human trafficking, or making a concerted effort toward evangelism, discipleship and church planting). Presbyteries across the country have already called for the GA to make resolutions ranging from life to immigration to the Middle East.

I would like to propose some resolutions for each of us and all of us.

Whereas God has created us as His image bearers, redeemed us through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His only Son, poured forth His Holy Spirit in and among us to bring us to maturity in Christ, conformity with His will and to equip us for His mission in the world,

and whereas God has revealed Himself generally in creation and specially through the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and fully exegeted in the person and work of Jesus Christ,

therefore be it resolved that we

Prepare our minds for action; be self-controlled; set our hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance. But just as He who called us is holy, so (let us) be holy in all we do. (I Peter 1:13-16)

Humble ourselves … under God’s mighty hand that He may lift us up in due time. Cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. Be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, knowing that other Christians throughout the world are undergoing great suffering. (I Peter 5:6-9)

Ask God to fill our fellow believers with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Let us pray for others in order that they may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. (Colossians 1:9-11)

Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts;

Let us be thankful;

Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom … with gratitude in our hearts to God…doing all things, in word and deed, in the name of Christ, to the glory of God the Father. (Colossians 3:15-17)

Continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with other others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)

I take this example of resolution making from the writers of the New Testament.

Colossians 2:6-7
Whereas “you received Christ Jesus as Lord,”
Therefore, be it resolved that you “continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Hebrews 10:19-25
Whereas “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and”
whereas “we have a great high priest over the house of God,”
therefore, be it resolved that we
“draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
“hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
“consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
“not give up meeting together … let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Romans 6:1-13
Whereas “we died to sin,”
whereas “we were baptized into Christ’s death,”
whereas “we were buried with Him…in order that we too may live a new life,”
whereas “we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with,”
whereas “we know that that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again and death has no mastery over Him,”
whereas “the death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the live He lives, He lives to God.”

Therefore, be it resolved that we
“count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
“not let sin reign in your mortal body…”
“not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life;”
“and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.”

You may resolve to stop, start, renew, amplify or fan the flame of many things in 2012. I encourage you to consider the “whereas” of your salvation and be resolved to live as Christ.

For my part, I resolve to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. I resolve to live as one who is already dead and already redeemed and already aware of the Kingdom realities that lie undiscovered by so many who wander this world lost in lies and darkness. I resolve to be as indefatigable as God might choose to supply. I resolve to stand ready to do whatever God might command, even if that be to stand so close to the inferno that even one might be snatched out of the first. I resolve to be a demonstration of grace and truth. I resolve to be a tool, an instrument, a tool – recognizing with all sobriety that it is a fearful and awesome thing to fall into the hands of a living God, all the while resolved that there is nowhere else worth living.

What’s your new year’s resolution?

Carmen Fowler LaBerge is president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and executive editor of its publications. This article first appeared on The Layman website and is used with permission.

[Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]