FOLLOW JESUS MORE IN THE NEW YEAR.

By John Heerema, Op-ed contributor Saturday, January 20, 2024

Silhouette of a cross against the sky during sunset. | Getty images

The arrival of a new year is always a time to reset and reflect on the previous year to determine how we should live in the next one. Taking into account our New Year's resolutions, the question "How can I change in the next twelve months? is a very good  one.Despite the fact that January is typically the month in which we work to accomplish our resolutions for the new year, the reminder that God is steadfast encourages me.

God's unchanging nature is called eternity, which means that if God changes, it will become imperfect again. As a result, he is perfect from the beginning, now, and forever. This is very different from our imperfect nature, which is always looking for new ways to be the best version of ourselves every new year. The beautiful promise of the gospel is that we can still have a relationship with God even if we are not ideal.

In Micah 3:6, God says, "For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore, you, O sons of Jacob, do not perish."

This promise shows a significant difference between God and man. Because God is the perfect one, His promises remain valid from generation to generation. Since man is not ideal, we must have a relationship with God, because only through him can redemption be achieved. His people do not perish or be destroyed by imperfection because the nature of his love, mercy, and justice does not change!

Jesus was the only person who ever lived without sin. Everyone can enter into a loving relationship with God and be redeemed from sin because his sacrifice on the cross distinguishes the Kingdom of Heaven from sin. In other words, Jesus gives us the greater grace of God to cover our shortcomings. As we rearrange our plans in the new year, it's a good reminder that our Lord doesn't expect perfection. Instead, Jesus' sacrifice nullifies our mistakes and imperfections and shows us as a new creation worthy of redemption.

As we prepare for the rest of the year by challenging ourselves to be better versions of ourselves, I hope we are reminded of Paul's statement in Ephesians 5:1-2:

Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, fragrant offerings and sacrifices to God.

It is recommended to take some time this year to pray about how you can better imitate Christ and let God guide you to become more like him. Pray that he will show you how to walk in love and humility for our neighbor. He promises to make all things new and redeem all his creation, and his promises will never be lost. As you plan your birthday, focus your attention on Christ and let his perfect love atone for your mistakes!

John Heerema successfully owned the company in 1999. John and his partner Kathy lead a quiet life in the resort town of Naples, Florida. John and Kathy thought about how they had built the "perfect life" as they sat on the floor one night with their little daughter and son, who were on their way. A question John read from a book soon caused him to become blind. Are you living a small life in your own little world, or are you willing to live a bigger life, one that has a big impact on the Kingdom of God? This was a question that deeply touched John's heart. John began to realize that his wonderful childhood life was ideally very simple. John left his business to join God after wrestling with him. Biglife is a new service. Today, Biglife serves in more than 160 countries and reaches millions of people in the darkest strongholds of the world with the gospel message. Experiencing lifelong discipleship and living under the influence of a great kingdom is at the heart of everything we do and the heartbeat of who we are.

News Sources:  https://www.christianpost.com/voices/imitating-jesus-more-this-new-year.html