OceanSide church of Christ

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I AM RESOLVED

Victor M. Eskew

 

The word “theme” comes from a Greek work that means “something set down.”  A theme is a central idea or topic that is set down before others.  Books, movies, and television shows have themes.  This central topic or idea runs throughout the book or script of a movie.  It ties every chapter, paragraph, sentence, and word in the book or movie together.

This year the elders at OceanSide have set before us a very challenging theme.  It consists of three simple words:  “I Am Resolved…”  Our theme will be “kicked off” today by brother Willie Franklin.  He will excite and encourage us to implant these three little words deep into our minds and to bring them to fruition in our spiritual lives.  Each month this year, we will prepare at least one lesson that focuses on this theme.  We want to remind all of us of these words.  Too, we want to show you numerous places wherein these three words can be applied to your spiritual life.

In this article, we will be examining each one of the words of our theme independently.  The first word is “I.”  This word makes our theme PERSONAL.  We do not want you to focus on others.  We want you to focus upon yourself.  You are the only person over which you have complete control.  Another person cannot force you to focus upon our theme.  No one else will be able to make you apply this theme to your life.  Only you can do for you.  Paul mentioned this type of burden in Galatians 6:5.  He wrote:  “For every man shall bear his own burden.”

The heavenly Father has given us the ability to be self-governing.  We are free to choose how we will or will not live our lives.  God want us to live in a certain manner.  He has provided that way for us in His Word.  But, He will not force us to make resolutions that we do not want to make.  He will, however, hold us accountable for our choices.  “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

We are going to exhort you and encourage you to implement this theme into you daily life over the next twelve months.  We are going to remind you and teach you about positive resolutions that all of us need to make.  But, the choice is yours.  You will have to boldly and resolutely declare:  “I” am resolved!

The second word in our theme is “am.”  The word “am” involves the PRESENT.  “Am” does not look backward to the past.  It does not look forward to the future.  It is squarely focused on the “here-and-now.”  Right now!  At this very moment in time!  Not yesterday!  Not tomorrow!  Right now!  Today!  At this very second!

The present is important for two reasons.  First, the past is gone.  We cannot change our thoughts, words, or actions of the past.  We can regret them.  We can be sorry for them.  We can repent of them, but we cannot change them.  Thus, living in the past does not do us any good.  Second, the future is not promised, nor is it predictable.  James said:  “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow:  for what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:17).  Today is all that we really have.  We need to get focused upon it.  We need to use it to God’s glory and to our soul’s benefit and to the service of others.

      The third word in our theme is “resolved.”  This word involves PURPOSE.  The definition of the word “resolved” is:  “firm in purpose or intent; determined” (www.dictionary.com).  When a person is resolved, he has made up his mind.  There are no doubts.  There are no “ifs, ands, or buts.”  It is “do it or bust”.  It is “do it or die trying.”  Obstacles are seen as stepping stones.  The naysayers become cheerleaders.  If told:  “It cannot be done,” the response is simply:  “Watch me!”  Paul was a resolved individual.  Even in prison, he wrote:  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

Two other words are associated with the word “revolved.”  One is PLAN.  A person who is determined will develop a plan of action.  He says:  “This is what I am going to do, and this is how I will do it.”  The second word is POSITIVE.  Being resolved makes one positive.  The negatives are cast aside.  Defeat is not an option.  There is just the belief that this can and will be done.

Dear readers, we invite you to join with us in this challenge for 2017.  The words are easily committed to memory.  “I Am Resolved.”  The challenge now is to make up your mind that you will be resolved.  Then, you will face the challenge of motivation.  There will be many things that will cause you to grow discouraged and want to give up.  However, if you will stay resolved you can master many important principles and practices that will benefit your Christian life in this upcoming year.  My friend, make your spiritual life something of which you can be proud.  Make up your mind!  Tell yourself:  “I am resolved!”