Author's Note: All previous studies of this series are here. The first 56 studies are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." With the same title, "Part Two" features studies 57-113. “Part Three,” with studies 114 -170, is on my 2024 to-do list.
Thanks for joining our first New Year’s Eve Bible study. We conclude 2023 with a “trick” title because the Bible says nothing about New Year’s resolutions. Nonetheless, the Word of God does offer numerous behavioral guidelines for whatever you are resolving to do or not do in 2024. Example: If your New Year’s resolution includes dieting, keep this verse in mind:
“Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
So, the next time you dine out, before ordering sweet potato fries (my favorite) instead of the steamed broccoli, say to yourself, “My body is God’s temple,” and then feel biblically empowered as you ingest the broccoli. You can keep your biblical broccoli empowerment between you and the Lord or proclaim it to everyone at the table. However, the latter could set you up for ridicule. In my case, I am blessed with family members who would break into howls of laughter and then order a double portion of fries to test the willpower of “my temple.”
Please report your progress if you incorporate this “My body is God’s temple” weight loss program. Also, tape the phrase to your freezer to avoid indulging in double-dipped dark chocolate Dove bars — like the one I just devoured as I wrote this. Furthermore, if increased exercise is on your list of resolutions, this phrase serves double duty.
Now, let’s get more personal. My biggest faith problem is trusting the Lord. I try not to be anxious about the success of godly projects, but my DNA default mode is chronic worry courtesy of my Jewish mother. Therefore, topping my New Year’s resolution list is, “Jesus, I trust in you.” Here are two verses I will incorporate and recommend if you are plagued with not always “trusting the Lord” in every situation.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight ” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3).
How about a New Year’s resolution that includes forgiveness? Yes, I know this is a tough one. It includes mending fences so you can move ahead (or fully close the gate) with the person(s) who hurt, betrayed, stole, cheated, or tried to destroy your life. So, why don’t you try it, tell me how it went, and then I will consider forgiveness in 2025. But to get you started, here are some “go-to” verses. Jesus said:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). St. Paul wrote:
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
Some of you have resolutions such as “I vow to clean out my closets” or “I promise to mow the lawn before my wife nags me.” These process resolutions will not impact your score when you “meet your Maker.” Instead, how about a New Year’s resolution that encompasses what Jesus said are the two most important commandments? For that reason, they are called “The Greatest Commandments” Together we read:
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments ’ ” (Matthew 22:34-40). Note: The Greatest Commandment also appears in (Mark 12: 28-31) and (Luke 10:25-28).
We rephrase for today: “All New Year’s resolutions hang on these two commandments.”
But what about the rest of the commandments? Shouldn’t they also be resolutions? When you think about it, every resolution we make is directly or indirectly derived from one of the Ten Commandments. Thus, let’s review The Ten Commandments and remind ourselves that these are not “The Ten Suggestions”:
“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.’ ”
1. ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’
2. ‘You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.’
3. ‘You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.’
4. ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.’
5. ‘Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’
6. ‘You shall not murder.’
7. ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
8. ‘You shall not steal.’
9. ‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.’
10. ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor ’ ” (Exodus 20:1-17).
Here is a New Year’s resolution suggestion: Take what Jesus said in (Matthew 22:34-40) and add God’s commandments given to Moses in Exodus. Then, if you vow to abide by all these commandments, chances are you will have a blessed year. (Disclaimer: “Chances are” is the operative phrase, but what I wrote is plausible and faith-based.)
I wish you all a happy, healthy, Bible-reading, blessed new year. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.