Resolve to Live Differently

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Dearest Father in Heaven,
I’m eternally grateful that You’ve saved my life by deliberately removing my dysfunctional, diseased heart and intentionally replacing it with the strong, healthy heart of Your dear Son. My heart now beats in vital unison with Yours. Since You munificently recreated my miserable old life into a magnificent new one full of love and power, I resolve to live a drastically different life this year by being:

• Receptive of people who are fundamentally different from me
• Empathetic, polite and kind rather than rude, arrogant and obnoxious
• Content with the things You’ve given me instead of envying what others have
• Recognizant of the good in bad circumstances
• Ecstatic with the truth instead of misled by deception
• Accepting of people’s faults as opposed to being critical and judgmental
• Tolerant of abrasive people and harsh conditions
• Even-tempered and calm even when I’m angry, resentful and mistreated
• Devoted, protective, persistent, hopeful and trusting to the end

Thank You, Father, for opening my heart and implanting Your Son. Radically changed, I’ll graciously look beyond the diseased, dysfunctional lives of others. Generously, I’ll pour out Your infinite mercy and amazing love on hurting, helpless, and hopeless people bringing glory to You through the new life You’ve magnanimously given me through Jesus, Your Son. Amen.

O. Chambers writes in My Utmost For His Highest, “If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought.”

What radical difference has Christ made in your life? The above resolutions are from 1 Corinthians 13. Can you boldly stand in the light of God’s truths without squirming and evading them? If not, continue surrendering yourself daily to the Great Physician until His heart is fully implanted in yours.