A New Year.

“On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of  godliness, for bodily training is only of little profit, but    godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1Tim. 4:8

We are about to enter the new year. Most people will make resolutions to improve their lives as they enter a new year. As believers, we should desire to improve our physical and spiritual lives. But, as Timothy noted, taking care of our bodies is only of little profit. What is most important is our growth in godliness.

I have learned over the years that my body is slowly but surely getting older every day. As a 21-year-old rookie police officer,  I never lost a foot pursuit. In my early thirties, I could still meet all the physical requirements of being a member of the        Chesterfield Police SWAT team. But that was a long time ago. Even though I try to maintain my physical health through      daily exercise, I can no longer do some things that were easy for me. I cannot sprint 20 yards or run through my       neighborhood like I did in my thirties. My weightlifting has gone from 80-pound dumbbells to 40 pounds.

It doesn’t matter how pretty or handsome you are now. One day, if you live long enough, your looks will fade. No matter how healthy you are, one day, your body will breathe its last breath. All of this is a result of sin. But praise God, even though the outward man is deteriorating, the inward man is being renewed daily if you belong to Christ.

As we grow older in the faith, our responsibility is to grow in godliness. We study His Word, love one another, and             strive to live holy lives. The great American preacher  Jonathan Edwards wrote 70 resolutions to help him live a godly life.  He was 20 years old when he wrote them. The following are his first three resolutions.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence.

Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

I would encourage you to read his resolutions, study them, and     see if these resolutions would benefit your walk in godliness.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark