Most of us set goals or
resolutions for ourselves for the new year. Starting off with a "clean
slate" is the best way to obey God's Word. God offers forgiveness
through Jesus Christ and "cleanses us from all
unrighteousness". Accept His forgiveness and consider applying
the teaching and wisdom from the following verses.
Luke 5:30-32 - But
the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained
to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I
have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
John 8:1-11 - But
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple
courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach
them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in
adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher,
this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to
stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a
trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and
started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning
him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin,
let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote
on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the
older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing
there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one
condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus
declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
1
Corinthians 6:11 - And that is what some of you were. But you
were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 - But
as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have
known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Always apply the Word to
your new year's resolutions. Amen?