Here We Go Again – 2016
by Micky Galloway
Here we are into the second full week of January 2016. Some of us are still having trouble putting the right date on checks and important documents. These are times that we take inventory of things serious and make plans for new beginnings. But for all the good intentions, only a few of us keep our resolutions. University of Scranton research suggests that just 8% of people achieve their New Year’s goals. Often these plans never find fulfillment because we simply do not follow through with what we deemed important. Why? Perhaps it is because we don’t know how, or maybe we just are not serious, or perhaps it is because we just do not see what ought to be the ONE most important thing in our lives. As we examine ourselves at the beginning of this new year, let us not engage in the common practice of faultfinding and excuse making. This is not a new problem, for Luke tells of two who came to the Lord expressing a willingness to follow Him, but each felt a prior obligation. One asked to be permitted “first to go and bury my father” while the other asked to be allowed “first bid them farewell, which are at home at my house” (Luke 9:59-61). Instead, let us look to those things “I” can do to serve God. The chief butler of Joseph’s day said, “I do remember my faults this day” (Genesis 41:9). As we stand at the beginning of another new year, we are made aware of our most precious and most fragile gift … TIME. No moment can be recalled or reclaimed. It cannot be put back on the clock or the calendar! We are reminded of the flowers that bloomed in the spring that are now faded and gone. Peter said, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away” (I Peter 1:24). James described our lives as a “vapor that appeareth for a little time” (James 4:14).
Did you know that, “the word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900’s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality. Somehow we would now be able to have multiple ‘first’ things … This gave the impression of many things being the priority, but actually meant nothing was” – Greg McKeown, Essentialism. If we set our priority (SINGULAR) right this year, it will solve a lot of problems before they develop. We will not have problems with church members who forsake the assembling, neglect Bible study, fail to give as prospered, or allow the slightest things to interfere with their service to the Lord. We will not have problems associated with withdrawing ourselves (cf. II Thessalonians 3:6), marriage problems, or divorce (cf. Matthew 19:3-9). We will not have problems resolving what our children should be doing. When other things present a conflict or controversy, it will be understood by all that serving God takes precedence over everything else. That would go a long way toward curing a lot of ills among God’s people, including slack attendance on Sunday night or Wednesday night, lack of Bible study or simply going through the formality of prayer. When our priority is right there will be no question about what we will be, where we will be and what we will be doing when brethren meet for worship (cf. Hebrews 10:25; Titus 2:14; 3:1). There will be no question about what our individual goals are. Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing (I do), forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Parents can solve a lot of problems with their children if they will, by example and teaching, help them understand what is the purpose of life, “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Beloved, this is something we get to do only ONCE, for if we do it wrong, then we will be like the Israelites who failed to teach their children. “There arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Brethren, the price of neglect is too high! We must make up our mind regarding what is really important to us. As you plan for the new year consider these changes. Changing our priority (SINGULAR) would be a premium if we knew this was our last year to live. Let us consider these changes as we focus on our faithfulness to God.
Change the way you think. Certainly that is a challenge. Paul warned the saints at Corinth lest “your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). When the mind is corrupted, the whole being becomes contaminated (Matthew 15:19-20). We are to control our thoughts and think on right things (Philippians 4:7-8). We must set our minds on “things above” (Colossians 3:1-2) and “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5). “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Change what you know. Lack of knowledge has always gotten people into trouble. Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).The frightening fact is that very few people really study God’s word. A host of presumptuous sins arise from ignorance. Jesus rebuked the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Peter charged that it was the sin of ignorance that crucified the Christ (Acts 3:17). We are commanded to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (II Timothy 2:15 KJV), yet many fail to realize this is the only road to knowledge of God’s will. Numerous Bible classes are offered and many materials are available to assist you in your study, but the effort to learn must be individually yours. Will you consistently avail yourself of such opportunities that you might “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18)? Read God’s word and read it to your children daily (cf. I Timothy 4:16; Deuteronomy 4:6). By relying on God and keeping His word in our hearts, we can rise above impure and sinful thoughts and desires (cf. Psalms 19:11-16). It is truly a “marvel” (cf. Galatians 1:6) and very discouraging to see brethren blunder with severe consequences when they ought to know better. Changing what you know, changes what you think.
Change what you say. Our tongue can get us into more trouble than most any other member of our body. READ James 3:2-12. Our words should pass three gates before we speak. (How many times have we heard this?) (1) Is it true? If it isn’t true, we ought not say it at all. “… all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8). (2) Is it kind? “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in network of silver” (Proverbs 25:11; cf. Ephesians 4:32). (3) Is it necessary? “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). Jesus said, “that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
Again, let us be reminded that by relying upon God and keeping His word in our hearts, we can rise above impure and sinful thoughts and desires (cf. Psalms 19:11-16). Changing what you know, changes what you think. In changing what you think you can change what you say. These changes are necessary to changing who you are. These are worthy of consideration as we make plans for the coming year.