New Years Resolution..Romans 12: 1-2

Romans 12: 1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Another year is behind us and a new year is here, so what does it means for us?  These two verses are a perfect resolution on how we should begin the new year and each day of this new year.  A year is a measure of time made up of months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds...all measures of time.  Paul's appeal is for us to use this time recognizing that time is a gift from God which we should use for His glory.

What would the world be like if everyone began each day with the intent to use God's gifts to us...talents, time, and bodies...to show our appreciation to Him (worship)?  If we live each day choosing to worship God by using our time according to His will; our families, our communities, our nations, and our world would be better, acceptable, and perfect.


Verse 2 tells us what it takes in order to be the living sacrifice Paul's calls us to be.  We must not conform to the ways of the world.  We must acknowledge that God's ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)  When we are intentional about seeking God's ways we will be led to Jesus Christ and we will be receive the Holy Spirit.  With His Spirit, each day will be a day of transformation and renewal allowing us to discover and live in the will of God. 

Therefore, let this be our New Years Resolution:
 
By the mercies of God, let us present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.   Help us to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.