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We often sing the song, "I Am Resolved" when inviting
people to obey the gospel. But today, I want to use
the song to invite you to become better Christians.
I Am Resolved
"Resolve" means to "decide firmly on a course of action"
(Oxford University Press).
So, we say that a person who's resolved to do something
has made a resolution. In other words, they've made
a firm decision.
For example, the song "I Have Decided To Follow
Jesus" is about the resolutions we've made.
I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back,
no turning back.
Tho' none go with me I still will follow, No turning
back, no turning back.
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus, No turning
back, I'll follow Him.
As Christians, we make firm decisions regarding
our commitment to God, such as:
- I love and obey God.
- I put God first in everything.
- Assembling with the saints is a top priority.
- I'll do my best to serve God.
We also make firm decisions regarding our growth
and progress as a Christian, such as:
- I'm going to read the Bible this year.
- I'm going to teach a class this year.
- I'm going to invite my neighbors to church this
year.
- I'm going to prepare more for Bible class this
year.
Paul constantly tried to improve in His service
to God (Phil. 3:7-14). And we, as faithful Christians,
also strive to improve in our service.
Making firm decisions (resolutions) helps us make
these changes in our lives.
Resolved Not To Linger
When we sing "I am Resolved," we proclaim we've decided
not to linger.
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
How resolved are you not to linger?
Are you diligent? Are you "applying all diligence,
in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your
moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge,
self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,
and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness,
brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness,
love" (2 Pet. 1:5-7)?
Are you "diligent to make certain about His calling
and choosing you" (2 Pet. 1:10)?
Or, are you lingering?
Lingering Christians
"Linger" means to be slow or reluctant.
God's word teaches us not to linger when it comes
to changing and becoming a more fruitful Christian.
Rather than lingering, we are to be "not lagging behind
in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"
(Rom. 12:11).
Likewise, Jesus strongly warms Christians who are
lingering.
To Christians who had left their first love, Jesus
says:
- "'Therefore remember from where you have fallen,
and repent and do the deeds you did at first;
or else I am coming to you and will remove your
lampstand out of its place -- unless you repent'"
(Rev. 2:5).
And to lukewarm Christians, Jesus says:
- "'I know your deeds, that you are neither
cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor
cold, I will spit you out of My mouth'" (Rev.
3:15-16).
- "'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;
therefore be zealous and repent'" (Rev. 3:19).
Different From The World
To be a better Christian, we must resolve to be different
from the world. Like the song says:
I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.
This has always been God's desire for His children,
as Paul explains from the Old Testament.
- "Do not be bound together with unbelievers;
for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness,
or what fellowship has light with darkness" (2 Cor.
6:14)?
- "'Therefore, come out from their midst and
be separate,' says the Lord. 'And do not touch
what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will
be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters
to Me,' says the Lord Almighty'" (2 Cor. 6:17-18).
Are You Resolved. . . .
Are you resolved to be a more fruitful Christian in
2009?
How are you going to become more fruitful? What's
your plan? What have you firmly decided?
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