While December can be a month that is busier than usual with family, travel, holidays, etc...it is also a great time to stop. To stop and reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the year coming up.
“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure” (Proverbs 4:26)
In two parts, I will discuss looking back over the previous year and looking ahead to the new year through the lens of two theological terms: justification and sanctification (which I will explain).
Look back at the previous year through the lens of “justification”
Justification is God’s declaration that our sins are forgiven and you receive Christ’s righteousness when you put your faith in Jesus. It is a one time event that makes you right with God eternally (see Romans 5:1)
You are accepted by God through faith in Christ alone: your identity is not in what you accomplished, didn’t accomplish, what went well or didn’t, how much you made or lost, etc.
Looking at the previous year through the lens of justification will keep you from self-pity and depression because how you fell short (and you did) is forgiven. It will keep you from pride and self-righteousness in what you accomplished because if you look at Christ righteousness, you know you fell short (that is an understatement for us all).
Look back at the previous year through the lens of “sanctification”
While you are justified, God loves you to much to leave you the way you are. He is making you a new creation...more and more into the image of his Son. This is sanctification: becoming holy and righteous--like Christ.
Look back over the last year and identify areas you have grown: relationships, work ethic, humility, generosity. Thank God for that and also know that you need to continue to grow in those areas (it is a lifetime of change).
Look back over the last year and identify areas you need to grow: Where is there continual sin? Where is your life centered around you and not God? How can you use your time, resources, relationships, gifts, to serve Jesus and others as opposed to yourself?
While things are busy for everyone, find time to ponder your path of the last year, whether it’s a few minutes each day, a morning or day away. Turn off the phone, computer and TV and make the time. It will cause thankfulness for the Gospel and thankfulness to God who accepts us, but wants to change us.
Next post we will look at preparing for a new year through the same lens of justification and sanctification.
Maybe this is me talking nonsense, but it seems like Google isn't a company run strictly by the top and they seem to be doing quite well.
Posted by: JamesDX | 02/11/2010 at 10:50 AM