2026

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It is almost New Year’s Day. Almost 2026.

As Christians, there is something about a new beginning that excites us. It’s a chance to start over. We can be assured we stand before God justified, that is, we stand before God just like Jesus Christ does, as God’s sons and daughters. We stand just as righteous as Christ is, being united to Jesus in faith. And God offers that to anyone if they will trust in Christ for salvation.

Some Christians argue against New Year’s resolutions precisely because of this right standing before God in Christ. After all, “You can’t earn your way to heaven” and “No well-meaning promises or good works will ever impress God.”  This makes sense to a point.

 Yet New Year’s resolutions can help us plan and focus our energies. We stand before God in Christ’s righteousness as a gift; yet we do good works out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. We work because God works in us (Philippians 2:12-13). After all, we are to “fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

Gear up, soldier! Put on your battle gear, or your personal protective equipment, whichever metaphor fits you best. Do what they said in ancient Hebrew times, “gird up your loins;” that’s Hebrew for ‘put on your big girl panties’ or ‘tighten up your jock straps.’ 

What sin do you need to forbid from your life? What relationship do you need to prioritize? What sacrifice do you need to make? How do you need to improve your own peace and tranquility and strength? How will you advance God’s Kingdom? What are your goals for 2026?

You can share them here in a comment if you want. I’ll share some of mine after I have given them some thought. Look out 2026, here we come.

Do not worry, Christian, there is God’s grace for you in the future if you fail to meet your resolutions, and there is grace for you for all your past failures up to now. Sin is to be confessed, and it is to be forgiven in Christ (1 John 1:9).

Write out some resolutions, whether shared or private. And may God’s grace be with you in 2026!

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