Resolved

A new year has come upon us. And with the uncorking of champagne and the blast of fireworks comes the well intentioned vows of many to make this a better year than its recently expired predecessor. Resolutions are part of our New Year's celebrations. Public commitments to kick ugly and destructive habits are pronounced by many well intentioned people. Cigarette packs are crushed and thrown away. Alcohol is poured down the drain and vice of many different shapes and colors are vowed to never be practiced again. Resolutions, however, are usually less potent than the temptations they are meant to defeat and, over time, they, like years since gone, become things of the past. The dog has returned to its vomit and the "bad habit" has again gained its mastery. This does not mean that resolutions are bad things. Christians, more than anyone else, must be a resolved people. But a resolution once bequeathed will never be fully realized if we vow to keep it in our own strength. There would be no besetting sins if iniquity was conquered by only a "pledge and practice" on our part. I can think of only one thing that will keep us from sin and that is if our love for Christ is greater than our love for vice. If the top rung of the corporate ladder of our affections is inhabited by anything other than the Lord than our resolve to "push it from its post" will all be in vain. If we must have resolutions let us each be resolved to love Christ supremely. If we can do this, all other resolutions will be unnecessary.