Beginning Again

Posted by on December 20, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

I wonder how the Paul of Acts 8:1-3 and 9:1, 2 dealt with being a Christian evangelist? How did he feel when he walked Jerusalem’s streets past the houses where he arrested people? How did he deal with past words of threats and murder? Even he was mystified by God’s grace that forgave his violence (1 Timothy 1:12-16)!

How did Paul deal with his past failure? How could he be so committed to a religious tradition of destruction and become an effective missionary among the hopeless? (1) He put his past in the past. (2) He forgave himself by trusting God’s forgiveness. (3) He committed himself to serving God’s purposes instead of his own fears.

All of us commonly refocus each January 1 as a new year begins. The New Year is fresh-a time for hopes and dreams. The old year is worn, threadbare. Though the old contained good, it also created opportunities for our flaws to tower over us as they controlled our lives’ direction. So, inwardly tired and troubled, we resolve to deal with our flaws as we are inspired to reach for productive new heights.

The following are some resolutions I hope we find worthy of consideration.

  1. I will seek to be more Christ-like in my mind, emotions, behavior, and consideration each day I am privileged to live.
  2. I will make serious efforts to understand God’s purposes and values instead of assuming my purposes and values are God’s.
  3. I will allow God to continue to “renew my mind” so my God will continue His transformation process in me.
  4. I will listen to understand before I speak.
  5. I will show the compassionate mercy I wish to receive.
  6. I will forgive as I wish God to forgive me.
  7. I will seek spiritual growth quietly, humbly as God’s servant by deliberately shunning arrogance.
  8. I will understand my credibility as Christ’s representative is enhanced by both my behavior and my words.
  9. I will dedicate myself to being a person of faith, and reflect faith in my character.
  10. I will put my faith in the Savior instead of the saved.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Happy New Year! May God be glorified in us!