WHAT WILL YOU “BECOME” IN 2024?

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The New Year is filled with many resolutions.  They involve weight, education, time with family, careers, and spiritual things.  Most of the resolutions involve doing one or two things.  Those who resolve to lose weight will say:  “I am going to the gym three times a week.”  Or, “I am going to quit sweets and sodas.”  Spiritual goals includes such things as:  “I am going to read the whole Bible this year.”  Or, “I am going to volunteer for a certain program the church offers.” 

            There is nothing wrong with making these resolutions.  However, wouldn’t it be much better if each of us would commit to becoming a different type of person in 2024?  In other words, we could resolve to become someone we are not at the present time.  This is one of the beauties of being a human.  We have within us the power to “become.”  We can grow ourselves.  We can mold ourselves.  We can transform ourselves.  We can mature ourselves.  We can develop ourselves.  That which comes out on the other side of the process is a much better version of ourselves. 

            A Christian could make this resolution.  I will become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  Most will define the word “disciple” as “a follower.”  The word, however, is more specific than just one who follows another.  The word literally means:  “one who sits at the feet of another.”  John had his disciples (Matt. 9:14).  The Pharisees had their disciples (Mark 2:18).  And, Jesus had His disciples (Matt. 15:32).  A disciple sits at the feet of his master in order to learn from him.  In Luke 10:39, we learn that Mary was a true disciple of the Christ.  “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”  If a person resolves to be a disciple, he resolves to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him.  To do this, the individual commits to being a true student of God’s Word.  Bible reading is essential to Bible study.  But, Bible reading alone is not Bible study.  Study involves time and effort that are laborious in nature.  Solomon concurs with this in Ecclesiastes 12:12.  He writes:  “…and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”  A student learns the meaning of the text.  A student learns how to apply the text to his life.  A student knows how the text relates to other passages of Scripture.  A student can discuss the text with knowledge.  Often, the student will learn the text so well that he can quote it.  The person who resolves to become a true disciple of Christ will become something very unique.  He will see himself transforming into the image of Christ.

            A Christian could also make this resolution:  “I will become a more holy individual.”  The inspired writer exhorts his readers to holiness in Hebrews 12:14.  “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”  Peter commands his readers to be holy in 1 Peter 1:15-16.  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  Holiness involves three things:  1) purification, 2) being set apart, and 3) being used for a holy purpose.  When we obeyed the gospel, our sins were washed away when we were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, 22:16).  However, the fight against sin and temptation is a continuous and difficult one.  We often long to be pure, but we will admit that we fall short.  We struggle with various sins in our lives.  For some reason, we hold on to them.  We allow them to keep us from being pure and clean in the sight of God.  This year we can resolve to work on these things.  First, we truly repent of our sins and pray God to forgive us our all our transgressions and iniquities (Acts 8:22).  Second, instead of yielding to our lusts, we do as Peter commands:  “…abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).  We also resolve to do as Paul exhorts in Romans 13:14.  “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”  Yes, we make up our minds to plainly tell the evil one:  “Get thee hence Satan!” (See Matt. 4:10).  Having purified ourselves before God, we are not individuals who are set apart from the world.  God can now fully use us in His holy service in His tabernacle. 

            A Christian could also make this resolution:  “I will become a diligent worker in the vineyard of the Lord.”  In Matthew 21:1-16, Jesus tells a parable likening the kingdom to a vineyard.  “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard” (Matt. 21:1).  Each Christian is a laborer, a worker.  It is our responsibility to fulfill our obligations so the vineyard will be productive for the householder who is Jesus Christ.  We are to use our talents (Matt. 25:14-30).  We are to work hard (Col. 3:23).  We are not to be slothful (Rom. 12:11).  We are supposed to labor in such a way that the Lord will voice His approval of us, saying:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:21, 23).  As we make a resolution to become a diligent worker, we should ask ourselves:  “Is there any place in my Christian service wherein I am slacking?”  And, “Is there any place that I have failed?”  This year each of us should want to become one of the most valuable workers that our master has in His vineyard.

            A Christian could also make this resolution:  “This year I will become an example for others to follow.”  Paul told the church at Corinth:  “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul exhorted Timothy to be a model to his brothers and sisters in Christ.  “Let no man despise thy you; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).  Whether we realize it or not, others are constantly watching us.  And, whether we realize it or not, we are being an example to them.  It may be an example of what one should NOT be.  This is not the kind of example, however, that God wants us setting for others.  He wants us to be an example of what ALL SHOULD BE.  We should be able to tell others.  Follow me in service.  Follow me in suffering.  Follow me in fighting the good fight of faith.  Follow me in giving.  Follow me in love for others.  Follow me in worshipping God.  Follow me in overcoming temptation.  Follow me in redeeming the precious time that we have in serving the Lord.  There are not very many positive examples to follow.  When others find one, they are extremely appreciative.  Again, listen to Paul’s words to Timothy:  “Be thou an example of the believers…”

            As we close, we ask once again:  “What will you become in 2024?”  Setting a few behavior goals is good, but they may not inspire you enough to do them.  Setting a goal to become something that you are not presently, is a goal that puts hope in the heart.  Slowly, we can watch the transformation.  In time, we become the “new” individual we envisioned.  Then, when we look back on who we used to be, we are glad we made the change.  We are better.  We are stronger.  We are more mature.  We are more useful.  We are happier.  We are proud.  We can affirm:  “I AM a disciple.” Or, “I AM more holy.”  Or, “I AM a diligent worker in the kingdom.”  Or, “I AM a positive example to others.”  Notice, we no longer have to wish to be such things.  We are those things.  Dear reader, in 2024 become something you presently are not!