It's Positively 2025

Philippians 3:12–14

INTRODUCTION

It’s that time of year again. It is the time of year when you look back over the past 12 months and say, "Well went another one," and look to the coming year and say, "Here comes the next!" It’s also time for the ever-popular and always-infamous New Year’s resolutions. By the way, this upcoming Friday has been labeled “Quitters Day.” The second Friday of January is known as "Quitters Day," when people are most likely to quit New Year's resolutions.

You know the promises we tell ourselves, "This year, I’m going to turn over a new leaf. I’m going to exercise regularly & lose weight. I will do all kinds of things to improve myself physically & spiritually. I’m going to spend more time with my family. I will do what I have been saying I would for years."

New Year Resolutions always involve losing weight and saving money; of course, they never seem to get accomplished. They do for a while but get buried under PTA meetings, doctor’s appointments, work travel, kid’s game schedules, and the dryer. At times, resolutions can be self-defeating and really depressing.

Over twenty years ago, I wrote a newsletter article entitled "A Little Humor for the New Year." Here is an excerpt from the article…

The problem with New Year Resolutions is we set ourselves up to fail. I have a better idea for this year, and anyone who wants to join me in my New Year’s resolutions is more than welcome. The key is to devise resolutions that will give you no trouble passing with flying colors. Here, then, are my 5 New Year’s resolutions, and I plan to keep them every day this year.

I resolve to get up every morning, but the time is negotiable.

I resolve to breathe on a regular basis, which means when I angrily huff at someone, I’m still doing a good thing.

I resolve to get dressed, but I don’t have to match if my wife doesn’t see my outfit before I leave the house.

I resolve to eat. (I was going to resolve to eat three meals a day, but it’s possible for me to flunk that one on the plus side.‌

I resolve to go to bed every night, but again, the time is negotiable.‌

Of course, I was being sarcastic in those resolutions. But there is a little truth to what I wrote about setting ourselves up to fail. The real reason we fail is not because our goals are too high or too numerous. The reason I believe we fail is because our goals are all about us. They are based upon a heart that focuses on ourselves exclusively instead of bringing glory to God and serving our fellow man.

So, this year, let’s promise to focus on God, His church, and others. This year, let’s promise ourselves and God that we will make a change for the better. This year, as God’s people and church, let’s make this a straightforward resolution—we will make a positive change because of Jesus.

Philippians 3:12–14

ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

VERSES 12-13

So, the context of this scripture is that Paul is in prison, chained to a Roman guard, under horrible conditions. Twice, in similar terms, Paul expressed his imperfection. Paul was looking ahead to the completion of his salvation. He purposes to press on as he had not attained the intense personal knowledge of Christ that he desired and had not become all that Christ wanted him to be. He did not press on out of personal power or will. He did so because Jesus had chosen him and, on the Damascus road, grabbed hold of his life. Paul always held God up as the source of every part of the salvation experience. A fact of the Christian life is that the more you mature, the more you realize how much further you must go to become like Christ.

Paul saw the Christian life as a process. While believers are considered righteous when they accept salvation, their entire lives are marked by growth toward Christlikeness. Paul did not consider that he had achieved spiritual maturity; he was not all he knew he should be, but he lived in absolute confidence in his ultimate salvation. Christians know they will be saved while not pretending that sin does not exist. Like Paul, they should focus on one goal: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. The past should not be used as a barrier to the future, as an excuse for dropping out, or for avoiding proper spiritual conduct in their relationship with God. Paul would forget his past with all its credentials and accomplishments (and sins) and, like a runner in a race with his whole body reaching for the finish line, would press on toward the goal.

Paul’s old mindset was a single-minded pursuit of persecuting the church. The new birth brought a new mindset: a single-minded pursuit to know Christ and attain the resurrection. Paul describes this pursuit in humble terms, giving Jesus the credit even for Paul’s pursuit of him.

VERSE 14

Two participles explain the manner of attainment Paul is alluding to here. First, “forgetting what is behind” comprehensively expresses Paul’s future orientation. What was done was done! Both the nostalgia of the former life and the “good ole days” of his Christian life would paralyze him in terms of what God wanted in the future. Every day was a new adventure. Second, he was “straining toward what is ahead.” This word continues the athletic metaphor. It is particularly graphic, bringing to mind the straining muscles, clear focus, and complete dedication of the runner in his race to the prize. Both mental and physical discipline were necessary.‌

Like a runner who knows that a backward glance at the ground already covered will only slow his progress toward the finish, Paul says that he forgets what is behind and stretches out toward what is ahead so that he might complete the race and win the prize.

Some people are always looking back. They can’t get over what happened to them last year, five years, or twenty years ago. “She hurt me.” “He fired me.” “That company misused me,” they say. Paul says just the opposite. “This is what I do: I forget that which is behind. And the same mind is to be in you.” Bad and good in the past cannot distract us from what lies ahead. The sins we’ve committed in the past can condemn us to the place of paralysis. The good stuff we’ve done by His grace can puff us up to the place of pride. Thus, our only option is to do what Paul did: Forget the past. We must be those who say, “I’m not going to dwell on that. I’m not going to be tripped up by that. I’m not going to glory in that. I’m not going to be confused about that. All of that is behind me. I’m moving on.” I press toward the goal.

‌TODAY’S KEY TRUTH

Anchoring Your Life in Christ Brings Enduring Hope and a Positive Heart.

APPLICATION

Each of us can make a change for the better by developing a positive outlook toward life. How do you feel about your life? Is it worthwhile? Or, let’s change the question. What would it take for you to feel that your life is worthwhile? What would have to happen to make you feel really positive about your life?

If you won the lottery, would that do it? If your marriage problems suddenly were all patched up, would that do it? If your kids began to make you proud, or if you got a promotion, would that do it? What would it take for you to really feel positive about your life.‌

Suppose you think that more money, a better marriage or family life, or more prestige will bring a positive outlook on life. In that case, you’ll probably never feel really positive about life because of all the little pieces that must all come together to make you positive about life. That will probably never happen. After all, life is never perfect.

The world says that the way to feel good about yourself and your life is by obtaining more, making more money, having more influential friends, receiving many awards, and belonging to the right circles. Those are the things that make you feel good about yourself. Yet people today are more depressed, defeated, and down on themselves.

Philippians 3:12-14 is a very inspiring section of scripture. Realize that Paul is in prison, chained to a Roman guard, under horrible conditions when he wrote it. Now stop and ask yourself, "What is Paul trying to grab hold of?" Paul tells us in vs. 10, "I want to know Christ & the power of His resurrection & the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." What is he reaching for? What is his goal? Paul’s goal is the resurrection from the dead. His goal is eternal life with Jesus. That is what he is reaching for and striving for every day. His goal is heaven.

If our goal is heaven, if our goal is eternal life with Jesus Christ, then all the little setbacks in this life are only stepping stones getting us closer to the time when we will be with Jesus. There will be disappointments in life, but every day that passes is one day closer to the time when we will be with Jesus. The Bible teaches us that we are to feel good about life because God loves us. You are such a treasured person in God’s sight that He gave His only Son for you. That makes your life valuable, and you can feel good about your life. The Bible tells us that we are wanted, loved, and cared for by God Himself.

In 1991, Jim Volvono learned that he had inoperable bone cancer. During Christmas time in 1992, he said, "It’s difficult to be thankful this Christmas because I’m not sure I’ll be here next Christmas." And he wasn’t. He died in 1993. "But," he said, "this Christmas, I’m getting down on my knees and thanking God for every day of the 46 years of my life." He was positive about life because he realized that life is a very precious gift God has given us to enjoy for eternity. Folks, this is not all there is. View life with an eternal point of view. Stop focusing on the temporary problems of this life. If you are walking around with a negative viewpoint, a sour disposition, or anything instead of the joy of Christ, you must change your attitude, especially if you are a Christian. Even during troubles, our attitude can be positive if we view life with the right perspective. In 2025, we need to be positive about life because of Jesus and the eternal life he brings.

In 2025, we must have a positiveattitude to life. We must also have a positive attitude toward the church. I don’t say this in a self-serving way because one thing that is right about the church is that we desire to lift up Jesus, to reach out to a lost and dying world with the message of salvation. Yet, at times, I hear people criticizing the church.

In John 12 there is a fascinating account of something that happened as Jesus ate with His disciples. If you remember, a woman brought a jar filled with expensive perfume, broke it, and anointed his feet with the perfume. Immediately, Judas Iscariot and some disciples criticized the waste, saying that the perfume should have been sold and money should have been given to the poor. But Jesus defended her, saying, "She has done what she could for my burial."‌

You see, we have a value system that is different from the world. The world would consider something wasted that we consider valuable. The world thinks you’re wasting your time going to church this morning. You wanted to hear about God and Jesus Christ, but the world thinks that’s a waste of a Sunday morning. When the world looks at your tax return and sees that you gave away 10, 15, or 20% of your income to build the kingdom of God, it would call that a waste, too. But the things the world calls wasteful today are probably the only things that will last for all eternity.

Remember, when the woman poured the perfume on His feet, Jesus said, "Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." The church has a purpose that the world views as useless, but God says it is eternal. God’s chosen instrument is the church to share His message of hope and love for eternity. The church’s God-given purpose gives the church positive value.

No, the church is not perfect. It has a perfect mission but is made up of imperfect people. Most churches will not always do things the way you think they should, nor will everyone be happy. But when we move past our self-centered desires, preferences, and pride and realize that the church is here to fulfill God’s purposes and not our own. Then, we will develop a positive attitude toward the church. God’s purposes and mission are more significant than any of us. We are a part of the most important effort of humanity. When we focus on the church's eternal purposes, we can develop a positive attitude toward the church.

Anchoring Your Life in Christ Brings Enduring Hope and a Positive Heart.

‌

CONCLUSION

To make meaningful and positive changes in 2025, we need to display a positive attitude toward others intentionally. It would amaze us how many lives we could influence for Christ if we consistently treated people with kindness, compassion, and respect. This world can be harsh—a place where courtesy is often neglected. Many people are caught up in a relentless pursuit of success, battling stress, anxiety, and the pressures of daily life. Amidst this, Christians have a unique opportunity to stand out by reflecting the love and mercy of Christ in how we treat others.

One of the things about Mount Gilead that I genuinely admire is the warmth and friendliness displayed by its members. When visitors come, they immediately feel welcomed and valued. This kind of love and hospitality can transform lives and expand the kingdom of God. If we treat each other with love, as Jesus commanded, we become a living testimony of God's grace, making our lives a beacon of hope in a hopeless world.

Anchoring Your Life in Christ Brings Enduring Hope and a Positive Heart.

The key to consistently radiating this positivity is anchoring your life in Christ. When your life is rooted in Him, you gain enduring hope and a cheerful heart that transcends circumstances. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Anchoring yourself in Christ allows His joy to overflow, enabling you to uplift others, even in challenging times. This deep connection with Christ transforms your outlook, making it possible to share His light in a world that desperately needs it.

As we step into the New Year, let’s make it our resolution to embrace positivity—not just in our words but in our actions. A positive attitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or difficulties; instead, it means approaching them with faith, trusting in God's plan, and looking for ways to bless others. Philippians 4 Paul reminds us to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. By focusing on these things, we can cultivate a heart that overflows with joy and gratitude, even in challenging times.

Anchoring Your Life in Christ Brings Enduring Hope and a Positive Heart.

Here are a few practical tips to accomplish this:

Anchor Your Day in Christ: Begin each morning with prayer and Scripture reading, inviting Jesus to guide your thoughts and actions. This practice sets the tone for a day filled with hope and purpose.

Practice Gratitude Daily: Take a few moments each day to thank God for His blessings. A thankful heart fosters positivity and shifts your focus from problems to possibilities.

Be Intentional in Your Interactions: Offer a smile, a kind word, or a simple service to someone every day. Small gestures can make a significant impact.

Be Patient and Forgiving: Remember that everyone is fighting their own battles. Show grace to those who may be challenging to deal with, just as Christ extends grace to you.

Serve with Joy: Find opportunities to serve in your church or community. Acts of service bless others, bring fulfillment, and strengthen your connection with God.

When your life is anchored in Christ, you’ll find that no storm can shake your foundation. His presence provides the enduring hope and positive heart needed to approach each day with confidence and love. As this reality filters into every aspect of your life, you’ll find that 2025 could be one of the most transformative years you’ve ever experienced. Press on, as Paul encourages in Philippians 3, "toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus." With Christ as your foundation, your efforts to remain positive and loving will yield eternal rewards.

Anchoring your life in Christ isn’t just a step toward positivity—it’s the key to a life filled with enduring hope and eternal joy.

Anchoring Your Life in Christ Brings Enduring Hope and a Positive Heart.