Text: 1 Timothy 4:8
As one year quickly draws to a close and we look forward to a new year, it is common to take time for self-evaluation and making resolutions to improve our lives. Many resolutions pertain to our lives here (improve finances or health, eliminate bad habits, etc.). These are all good, but we must remember that improving our spiritual lives is far more important. We can get in shape, eat healthier, quit a bad habit, and get out of debt, but none of that matters if our spiritual lives are not in order. So we are going to consider six ways we can improve our spiritual lives – at the new year or anytime.
Bible Study
- Growing in knowledge requires effort (Proverbs 22:17) – listen attentively; apply your mind
- We need to make this type of effort to learn the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15) – it is important to develop a habit of Bible study (cf. Acts 17:11)
- Learning God’s word will enable us to DO what is good (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Prayer
- We are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – make time for it; always be ready to approach God
- Our prayers must be offered “in faith” (James 1:6) – He responds according to His will (1 John 5:14-15); we trust that His will is best
- Prayers offered “in faith” will be according to His word (Romans 10:17) – another reason for Bible study
Righteousness
- Christians have been “freed from sin” and made “slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18) – this requires us to “practice righteousness” (1 John 3:7)
- We must continue to strive to overcome sin and be more like Christ (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:11)
- We must learn to find the “way of escape” when we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13) – find it AND take it
Service
- We show love for God by showing love to others (1 John 4:21) – put others ahead of ourselves
- It is not enough to talk about love, we must show it in our actions (1 John 3:18) – we do this by serving one another (Galatians 5:13)
- Look for opportunities to do good to others (Galatians 6:10) – especially our brethren in Christ
Teaching
- We have a responsibility to be ready to give an answer for our faith (1 Peter 3:15) – requires study
- This also requires courage and conviction – Paul was not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16), yet he also requested prayers for boldness (Ephesians 6:19); we should pray for this as well
- Look for opportunities – just like Jesus at the well in Samaria (John 4:3-9ff)
Time Management
- We may think this has more to do with our earthly lives – but it impacts our spiritual lives too
- We are to make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15-16) – everything we have discussed requires time; so does everything else we have to do (work, school, relationships, obligations at home, etc.)
- If we are going to grow spiritually, we must learn how to manage our time effectively
Conclusion
- If we need to make improvements or changes in our lives, we do not need to wait until the new year
- But the new year can provide us with additional motivation to make the changes we ought to make
- As we look ahead to the new year, let us consider how best to improve (or begin) our service to God
