Resolutions

Many people make New Year's resolutions. Maybe you are one of them. If you have, try to "hang in there"! Many resolutions lead to nothing within the first week or two. But if you keep it up, new patterns of behaviour can become good habits. There is one resolution that we should all have. It does not depend on a New Year to begin. Let us walk with God! This calls for faith in God. It also calls for seeking to know and do his will. Can we know God?

Can we know God?

God is exalted. We read about that repeatedly in Scripture. He reigns in heaven above. But this does not mean that he is so high above his creation that man cannot know him. After all, God has made himself known. The beauty and intricacy of the created world point to him as its Maker. He has also spoken to man. The Bible presents itself as the written record of his words and deeds. God's revelation calls for a response on our part. When we understand what He has done in the past and what He continues to do, it will affect our lives in the present.

Walk with God

An Old Testament prophet called Micah summarizes what the life of faith is about when he says: Walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). Those words are based on God's grace. You can only call God "your God" if you have a relationship with him. The initiative for a relationship with God comes from him through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Bible teaches us that we can only enter into fellowship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. On the basis of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we receive the forgiveness of our sins. Guided by God's Word and Spirit, we learn to walk in his ways. For this to happen, we must believe in Jesus Christ, who has emphasized: "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). God doesn't walk with us. He calls us to walk with him. Depend on him for guidance and protection. Make an effort to consider and do what is pleasing to him. If we don't do that, we lose touch with God. God has revealed what He regards as good for our lives. His laws form the standard for how He wants us to interact with him. His laws also teach us how to deal with each other. They give structure and order to life. They also help keep us free of the chaotic, destructive effects of sin. What does God require of you? Be whole-heartedly devoted to him and walk with him! That is a life with an eternal future!

Dr. Andrew J. Pol