In an article of many years ago, we read:
“The old year, with its burden of record, is fast passing away. The new year, with all its possibilities, will soon be ushered in. What advancement have we made in the knowledge of Christ during the past year? Are we prepared to show, more decidedly than ever before, that we are on the Lord’s side? At this time, when the nations of the world are wavering between infidelity and idolatry, are we prepared to stand as faithful ambassadors for Christ? Shall we not, at the beginning of this new year, give ourselves and all we have to God? Shall we not listen to His voice, which calls us to a renewed contest, to a more thorough consecration of ourselves and our intrusted capabilities to His service?”
Five questions are asked for us to consider as we have arrived January.
1. What advancement have we made in the knowledge of Christ in the past year? To know God and His Son Jesus Christ is eternal life. John 17:3. Did we make arduous efforts to know the Son more ? Did we live as Paul who said: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings...”? We must repent and get upon it right now if we have not been doing so. We must determine now that we shall learn more of Him. And not only determine but have a plan of study because success in any line demands a definite aim.
2. Are we prepared to show, more decidedly than ever before, that we are on the Lord’s side? Whether we like it or not we are daily deciding our destiny either for Christ or for Satan. The tricky thing to note is that we need not necessarily nor consciously decide that we would follow Satan. By not decidedly choosing Christ and following Him ardently, by sitting on the fence, we would be in Satan’s camp. This is why there must be sanctified, intentional efforts to be on His side. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as He works within us to will and to do.
3. At this time, when the nations of the world are wavering between infidelity and idolatry, are we prepared to stand as faithful ambassadors for Christ? Time need not be spent to detail the daily atrocities chronicled in the news; those sins are too gruesome to discuss or ponder. Almost everyday policies are being rolled out to restrict our freedoms and to control us as our nation and other nations are tightening their grip of control. Are we on the Lord’s side, standing for righteousness? Are we getting ready to stand unflinchingly for the right even when the whole world chooses idolatry and infidelity? And the last two questions demand our reflection:
4. “Shall we not, at the beginning of this new year, give ourselves and all we have to God?
5. “Shall we not listen to His voice, which calls us to a renewed contest, to a more thorough consecration of ourselves and our intrusted capabilities to His service?” All quotes are from Signs of the Times, January 2, 1901
Fawehinmi Oluwatobi