Welcome to the New Year. It is always an interesting time as we turn the calendar from one year to the next. It is kind of like the changing of the guard. We always want many things to change in our lives and in the world. We even make resolutions as to what we will or won’t be doing in the coming year. Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that didn’t last very long into the New Year? There seems to be a pile of resolutions in our pasts.
So let’s do something different this year. Let’s drop the “L” I’ll explain later.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
You see that there is something desperately wrong with the world that we live in. It is inhabited and over run with sin.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Now we can see one of the tricks of the enemy. He is trying to get us to conform to the ways of the world. To look just like the sin that is happening in the world. Satan is trying to mold us into what the world looks like, and God is trying to mold us into looking like His Son Jesus Christ. As you can see, the battle is on.
1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
You see there are two competing forces here, the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God. We know the battle is on, but now the question is who will win the battle?
1 Peter 1:19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
When you see Him as the perfect Lamb of God who took upon our sin as the only possible sacrifice for those sins, you can never just see him as a baby in a crib.
Reminds us exactly what the devil is trying to do here on planet earth:
2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
When someone is blind, they need help getting around. That help can be a dog, a friend, a cane, etc. and it ends up being their guide. Satan is trying to guide the blind people of the earth off of a cliff and into hell for eternity. The difference between physical blindness and spiritual blindness is that spiritual blindness can be cured. If you come to the light, God lifts the veil off of your eyes. Now you can see as you walk through the minefield of this life as He is the guide now and not the devil.
1 John 2:15,16
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
God is looking for those who will overcome. Do you fall into that category?
Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
One who overcomes, in times past have walked in the ways of the world, but now they walk in the ways of God. You see one who overcomes drops the “L” from the world. When you drop the “L” from the word world, you are left with is the “Word.” No “L” just means “Word.” and what can be better than the Word of God?
Psalm 12:6
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
An anonymous quote I read recently said:
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christians charter.
Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and hell disclosed. The Lord Jesus Christ is its grand Object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. Let it fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the highest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
As we embark on this New Year, let us take stock of our lives. Figure out what is of the world and walk away from it quickly. You will never regret that decision here or on Judgment Day. Delve into the Word of God this year. Let it be the light that guides your steps. And remember, once you drop the Å and leave the world behind, don’t pick it back up and put it back in the Word.
Until the nets are full,
