As we embark upon a new year, it is a common practice for individuals to establish resolutions across various domains of their lives, including healthcare, physical fitness, diet, discipline, and spiritual commitments. However, these resolutions tend to endure for only a brief period. Notably, the commitment to spiritual endeavours often dissipates quite rapidly, while the other objectives may persist for a longer duration. This phenomenon highlights the priorities we assign, with subjects of lesser importance quickly fading from our consciousness. Although many of us acknowledge these setbacks as factual representations of our lives, it often remains challenging to identify the underlying reasons. Setting aside all other considerations, let us concentrate on our spiritual commitments and examine why we struggle to adhere to our own pledges and, if so, why we find ourselves resolute in our intentions repeatedly.
Commitment and Failure
Failing to adhere to the resolutions we have established for ourselves exposes our inherent doubts rather than our faith in God. Under the influence of peer pressure, individuals seek to present themselves as virtuous despite the numerous flaws and uncertainties that may occupy their minds. To remain true to our resolutions, it is imperative that we clearly understand our commitments. The persistent issue arises when individuals, often unintentionally, follow the crowd in making resolutions without a clear understanding of their objectives.
Illustration From The Bible
From the outset, Peter struggled to comprehend and accept Jesus’s revelations regarding His impending sufferings and death. Lacking an understanding of the purpose behind God’s sending of Jesus to this world, Peter elevated Jesus to the status of a hero, anticipating extraordinary accomplishments instead of discerning the will of God embodied in His Son. This fundamental misconception is a primary reason many individuals do not adhere to their commitments, as they often regard their spiritual leaders as heroes. Consequently, while remaining in their leaders’ shadows, they mistakenly believe they can emulate these figures and expect immediate miracles, rather than relying on the word of God to guide their lives. They admire their leaders yet fail to perceive God’s presence beyond the confines of their leaders’ authority.
Peter, despite not resolving the internal confusion he experienced, concealed his cowardice and pledged to follow Jesus at any cost. This dilemma remains a significant issue among many contemporary believers. By failing to confront their internal struggles, they commit to actions of which they possess insufficient understanding. This lack of comprehension ultimately led Peter to deny Jesus three times, thereby breaking the commitment he had made with his human intellect.
Then, after repenting for his previous actions regarding the denial, Jesus entrusted him with the task of shepherding His flock. He undertook this mission among the Jews; however, when he was instructed to go to the Gentiles to preach the Gospel, God revealed a vision to him of unclean animals in a vessel and commanded him to consume them. Peter, adhering to his religious traditions, refused. God told him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). Without grasping the deeper significance of God’s inclusiveness, perhaps due to time constraints, he focused on his initial endeavour of proclaiming the Gospel to Cornelius, who was not a Jew. Although he continued to share God’s love with the Gentiles, he failed to fully comprehend the essence of disseminating God’s message. He maintained his ministry to a certain extent when he was alone or accompanied by Paul. Nevertheless, when a group of Jewish leaders visited him at the location where he was ministering among the Gentiles, he became greatly perplexed and aligned himself with the Jews, thereby forsaking the Gentiles. This action of Peter was recorded by Luke, who relayed the idea that Paul communicated to Peter:
When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. – Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
Does Resolution Truly Matter?
A resolution is imperative when one strives to overcome challenges or achieve specific goals. However, as illustrated above, a resolution devoid of genuine understanding and commitment is unlikely to endure. We observe that John, a disciple of Jesus, did not outwardly display commitment, yet he harboured a deep love for Jesus internally. In his own account, John characterised himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved most. Nevertheless, there exists no explicit statement from Jesus affirming that He loved John more than any other disciple. The reality is that Jesus extends His love to all individuals, and it is our responsibility to cultivate His abundant affection to its fullest potential. If we do do it will be observed by people, as Luke observed John. It raises the question: Do we ever claim that we are loved by Jesus more than anyone else? This is an unexplainable personal experience that cannot be imparted by another.
A significant reason many individuals find it challenging to adhere to their New Year’s resolutions may be attributed to overly ambitious expectations or a neglect of the importance of joy and pleasure in sustaining motivation. It is essential not only to establish a goal but also to derive fulfilment from the journey, coupled with a belief in one’s capacity for transformation. This sense of joy can be attained through a deepening love for God, with our strength, devoted to this pursuit, growing stronger each day. When our energies are focused on nurturing this relationship, there is little room for negative thoughts. By prioritising our love for God, we can shift from ambitious goals to the simple pleasure of communion with Him, thereby alleviating any fear of failing in our resolutions, as we are no longer bound by rigid commitments.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
To gain a clear understanding, it is important to recognise that exemplary parents do not formally commit to any specific course of action regarding the upbringing of their children. Rather, they progress in tandem with the child’s development, providing every form of support and resources necessary for the child’s growth. When there exists a clear objective, the need for a formal resolution diminishes. A resolution, after all, represents a legal moment in which a decision or judgment is reached.
Living in communion with our Redeemer is a source of joy rather than merely a duty, accompanied by an instinctive nature of commitment. We are called to embrace our freedom, as Jesus has liberated us from all forms of bondage, without imposing any burdensome yoke upon us. From a broader perspective, when we make a resolution, we must acknowledge that such resolutions are often transient. This implies that we may deceive ourselves by making resolutions instead of genuinely transforming into a new creation, wherein the old things will naturally fade away (2 Corinthians 5:17).
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. – Galatians 5:1-2 (NIV)
If we substitute the term “circumcision” with “Resolution” in the aforementioned verse, it indicates that Christ holds no value for us. Therefore, setting aside the burdensome obligations, let us embrace the freedom of walking with Jesus as liberated individuals.
The Jordan Valley 
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