There is nothing like a new year, to make all of society want to press the redesign and redefine button. I get it. By definition, a resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something” otherwise “the quality of being determined or resolute.” While I have some thoughts about the efficacy of resolutions, they will not be the focus of this blog post. The crux of the matter here is around how we can follow God wholeheartedly in 2025.
Despite the “How To” title, I won’t be sharing a list or any imperatives. Firstly, because that it so not my style so I wouldn’t know where to start. But more importantly because a shift in heart posture will always be better than behaviour modification. James 2:14 (NLT) writes that ”faith without good deeds is dead” so there’s irrefutable focus behaviour and actions. However, the actions that James refers to aren’t empty. They’re taken because of who Christ is and what He has done as opposed to the pursuit of appearance of holiness. That is what I want to discuss. I ultimately am not looking to encourage you into vanity metrics of Godliness but deeper relationship with Christ.
We need Jesus daily.
Words That Give Eternal Life
I’ll speak for myself and say that I don’t feel that way all the time and I’d be lying if I said that I always acted like it (foolish, fickle humanity). But it is the irrefutable truth. We have no life apart from Him and for as long as we think we do- we will not draw nearer to Him.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
Jesus had just explained that unless we ate the flesh and drank the blood of the Son of Man, we would not have eternal life within us (John 6:50).There was uproar. He’d been addressing a primarily Jewish audience who would’ve considered this sacrilegious. After the fact, Jesus addressed His disciples and asked if they were offended by His words and He further explained that He knew that some wouldn’t believe Him and that people would not be able to approach Him, if the Father had not given them to Him.
All but the Twelve had deserted Jesus. Then Jesus asked whether they would also leave. He answered John 6:68 (NLT) “Simon Peter replied, Lord to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”
It simple but it is incredibly profound. If I realise, and I know, that I know, that I KNOW. That there is nowhere else I could go and nobody else I could seek to satisfy my soul. I’ll abide in Jesus. And the knowledge transcends any habit (admittedly helpful) I could recommend.
Jesus, the True Vine
John 15:4-6 (NLT) “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Mate, there genuinely isn’t very much that I can add to that. I think that a brilliant question to ask that can show you where you’re at is this. ‘How is your love for Jesus’. If you’re anything like me, that question might shake up. Hear me, the spiritual practices are important, but we can’t allow our performance of them to become vanity metrics in your walk with God.
To answer the initial question, I titled this post with- the answer is to remain in Him. Prayer, worship, spending time in His word. Scripture will teach exactly how to spend time with Him. Get plugged into a local church and give yourself, Jesus loves the church. The Bible will legitimately guide you through what all of that can look like. Ask God and set your intentions for the year. Just keep the main thing the main thing.
