30 Dec 2012 by Timothy Tai-
The end of the year is near. And by that, I’m referring to the end of the year 2012, of course. As we prepare to bid farewell to the old year, many of us will no doubt be thinking of New Year’s resolutions for the year 2013.
While it’s not a bad thing to resolve to exercise more and lose weight, here are 2 of the most important resolutions that you could ever make:
Resolution #1: Discover the truth about Jesus
If there’s just ONE resolution that everyone simply MUST make before they die, it’s this: To discover the truth about Jesus Christ for themselves.
While virtually all historians and modern scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus walked this earth two thousand years ago, there are differing views as to who he was. To some, Jesus was merely a good teacher who taught us to “do to others as you would have them do to you.” And then there are those who regard him as a great prophet and righteous messenger of God who performed miracles such as healing the blind and bringing the dead back to life. To Christians all over the world however, he is God’s very own son who was sent to die for our sins.
Who is Jesus to you? Maybe you don’t know anything about Jesus apart from what’s sung about him in the often-played carols at Christmas-time. Or maybe you vaguely remember hearing some of your friends talk about him. Whatever your background and whatever preconceived notions you might have about Jesus, it really is possible for you to discover the truth.
The best place to start is in the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John where you can find out about Jesus’ life and death. Read with your own eyes the words that Jesus spoke and the messages that he preached to the multitudes that came from far and wide to hear him. You can also listen to other people’s testimonies about what Jesus has done in their lives. Seek him with all your heart and soul and then draw your conclusions from there. If you diligently do that, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Just bear the following scripture in mind:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Resolution #2: Read the most indestructible (and best-selling!) book of all time
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an avid reader or not. If there’s ONE book that’s worth reading in the entire course of your lifetime, the Bible is it.
It’s the only book in the entire course of human history that has been subject to such fierce opposition and relentless attacks. No other book has been spat upon, banned, ripped up and set on fire as many times as the Bible. The fact that it has survived the best efforts of countless men and even entire governments to destroy it and wipe it off the face of the earth makes it the most indestructible book in the world. In the words of Biblical scholar A.W. Pink: “Every engine of destruction which human philosophy, science, force and hatred could bring against a book has been brought against the Bible, yet it stands unshaken and unharmed today.”
As if that weren’t reason enough to read it, the Bible also happens to be the best-selling book of all time. Even J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (which has been translated into 65 languages and has achieved sales in excess of 450 million copies) and ‘Quotations from Chairman Mao’ (which is available in 68 languages and has sold more than 1 billion copies) can’t compare to the Bible which has been translated into more than 2400 languages and has sold about 7.1 billion copies worldwide.
If you’ve never read through the entire Bible before, why don’t you resolve to do it in 2013? There’s a reason why it’s the most cherished book of all time to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Who knows? It might just end up becoming yours too.
If you have already completed the two resolutions listed above, then I’ll leave you with the 3rd most important resolution you could ever make: Determine to live out Matthew 6.33 and carry out the Great Commission.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
Then Jesus came to them and said, “…. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” – Matthew 28:18-20
Here’s wishing you all the best in keeping your resolutions for 2013 and Happy New Year!
Note: Timothy grew up in Kuching and worked in KL before jumping off the corporate ladder in 2006. He moved to New York City where he served at an inner-city kids ministry for almost 6 years. He has since returned to KL and has just married his Irish fiancee Sarah.
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