A Scriptural-Spritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part One

Introduction

At the first of the year, many people rightly consider the aspects in their lives that they would like to be different in the new year. These considerations often turn into resolutions. According to dictionary.com, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. The nature and number of resolutions are as various and different as the people making such resolutions. There’s diet and exercise, making more money, finding a spouse, taking more time with family. In Christian circles, many start a Bible reading plan and commit to more prayer time or something of that nature. What I would like to do over the next two weeks is to give a Scriptural-Spiritual lens through which we can look at what resolutions we might have made and which ones we might should make.

PRAY

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

PRAY

Spiritual resolve is attached to resurrection (1)

If then you have been raised with Christ - Since you have be raised with Christ. Jesus was resurrected from the dead to ensure that his people would be given spiritual life. We are raised with him when we are born again. Our new birth is the origin and power of our spiritual life and resolve. People that are not born again cannot do spiritual actions that honor God.

Romans 8:1–11 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Colossians 2:11–12 ESV

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Spiritual resolve is commanded by God (1b & 2a)

This pursuit is described with two present active imperatives in verses 1 and 2. These commandments not options or alternatives and it implies that continuous action is necessary.

Seek things that are above (1b)

Seek – look for, strive to find, to try to gain, to strive after, with the idea of earnestness and anxiety

Set your minds on things that are above (2b)

Set your minds – to give careful consideration to something, be intent on, to consider, think upon, judge, give one’s mind to, to aim toward

Fix your inner man upon the things above. If you desire your will and body to perform as a Christian should, there must be the aiming of the mind toward those realities. Every action, whether good or evil, is first conceived as a though in the mind or the inner man or inner person.

Illustrations: The attack of 9/11 was first conceived in the mind of a person then put into action as others were included. The missionary life of Hudson Taylor in China of which we read about was brought about by a young man that dreamed of taking the Gospel to inland China You greatest failures as a Christian, begins as a thought in your mind as does your greatest victories.

This command by the Apostle is, I believe, more than simply the movement of the intellect and will. It includes a deep rooted-affection toward the object. Therefore, the picture is not one of a drafted soldier that is forced to fight for his country and fights valiantly only because he wants to stay alive, but rather the young man that is on course to being a great physician and volunteers himself for military service. He fights because he loves his country and he fight valiantly as each fiber of his body is motivated by his affection for his beloved homeland.

Spiritual resolve demands pursuit of heavenly realities and rejection of fallen realities (1b & 2)

Things that are above, things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Related to the comparison of “things above” as good and “things of the earth” as bad one commentator writes, “The contrast between heaven and earth is ethically oriented with the earth being regarded as the special theater of sin (in light of Genesis 3:17, “cursed is the ground”), it is understandable that the earth should be regarded as the primary setting of fallen creation.”

We are reminded of the model prayer:

Matthew 6:9–10 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Not on things that are on earth

Matthew 16:23 ESV

23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Luke 9:23–27 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:57–62 ESV

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

What about the realm above is special and pursuit worthy?

Spiritual resolve pursues Jesus as the highest reality (1c)

Where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

He is ultimate because he was promised it – It is certain that Paul is making a reference to Psalm 110. Christ Jesus has been installed as the reigning King at the right hand of God.

Psalm 110 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

He is ultimate because He is alive - Where Christ is- He is, he is alive

Revelation 1:17–18 ESV

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

He is ultimate because he earned it - Seated at the right hand of God – He is seated because his work on earth is completed. He has earned everlasting salvation for his people. He has been seated as one who has all honor and power.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

How do we pursue the things above?

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Practical Application

Take seeking things above seriously.

Realize seeking things above requires intentionality.

Embrace being an alien and stranger here and a citizen of the heavenly kingdom.

Do not leave spiritual resolve defined by cloudy, mystical manners and ways.

Delight in the fact that heavenly mindedness brings the greatest joy possible in this life.

Spiritual resolve is based upon good reasons. That’s next week’s sermon.

What are you resolving in 2020?