New Year Brings New Opportunities

by Micky Galloway

Some of us over the past year have been blessed by the birth of children; some have experienced sickness or the loss of a loved one. Some have obeyed the gospel; others have taken a stand for the truth at great personal sacrifice. Others have struggled with sin and faithfulness to God. The passing of another year causes us to reflect on the challenges and blessings of the past as well as the prospects the new year brings. As we make our plans for the new year, let us …

Consider the value of time. David prayed to God, “So teach us to number our days …” (Psalms 90:12). No moment can be recalled or reclaimed. It cannot be returned to the clock or the calendar. James described life as a “vapor that appeareth for a little time …” (James 4:14). The reality of death and the brevity of life should make us more careful and sober in our thinking about sin and its eternal consequences, “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Opportunity to serve is limited by time! In the parable of the talents of Matthew 25:14-46, after the distribution of the talents to “each according to his several ability,” there was a day of reckoning. “Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them …” (Matthew 25:19). We don’t know how long, but we do know time was limited. We are commanded to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16), literally to buy up opportunity. We have time and opportunity NOW (II Corinthians 6:2).

Set our priorities right. This will solve a lot of problems before they develop. We will not have problems with church members who 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” (II Thessalonians 3:6), marriage/family problems, or divorce (cf. Matthew 19:3-9). When other things present a conflict, it is understood by all who have their priorities right that serving God takes priority over all else. This is an individual and unconditional choice! Paul considered, “all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him” (Philippians 3:8-9). He continued, “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). It doesn’t matter what anyone else does (husband, wife, friend, or foe). You will answer to God for your own decisions. We must get this right! Parents, teach your children what is most important.

Set your mind on things above. Closely related to the previous point; Paul wrote, “If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). Remember that this world is not our home, our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). This is why the Christian will lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). We earnestly anticipate a home where there will be no pain, no death, and no tears (Revelation 21:4). We, like righteous Abraham, look “for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Or as Paul worded it, “For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1).

Be thankful for God’s rich blessings. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above …” (James 1:17). From birth to death, we have been amazingly blessed. One of the besetting sins of mankind is ingratitude. The foolishness of men is described in Romans 1:21, “because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks …” Paul’s stated desire for the Colossians was that they might, “… walk in Him, rooted and builded up in Him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). “In Christ,” we enjoy all spiritual blessings, including the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:3). Let us be thankful for God’s love for us.

Remember that evil is active in the world. Satan is described as a “roaring lion … seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Satan has been bound and is destined for eternal damnation. Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Yet, he continues to exert his influence, blinding “the minds of the unbelieving” (II Corinthians 4:4) and devouring the souls of men. We are warned, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan is crafty, methodical, and deceptive. Paul stated to the Corinthians, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). It is his desire to make that which is wicked appear righteous and that which is error to appear as truth. Indeed, we face a formidable foe! Our enemy does not sleep; we must continue to be sober and watchful.

Remember those who have gone before. Examples of faith give us courage to endure (cf. Hebrews 11:39-12:2). May our faith also enable us to see the countless brethren of the past and present who, against tremendous forces, remained faithful to God. “Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17). Thank God for our brethren (Romans 1:8)! Often, under the stresses of life, we despair, until these heroes of faith encourage us to boldly press onward (cf. Philippians 1:12-18).

May every Christian remember to live for God every day of the new year, and every year, as long as life is granted in the flesh. Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that (life) which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, (the faith) which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

May God richly bless each of you in 2019. May we all draw ever closer to God and each other in truth, in faith, in hope, and in love.