Epistle reading: Galatians 3:8-12
Gospel reading: Luke 13:18-29
New Year’s Resolutions in Spirit
Since the New Year's Day is the first day of the coming year, it is the right time for setting such resolutions, thoughts, and feelings in our souls which would govern our whole life throughout the year and keep it on a Christian course. This can be readily done by perceiving a New Year’s Day in spirit — that is, a moment when someone who thus far has been living in carelessness, changes his mind and becomes keenly concerned with his salvation and godliness.
When such a decision is taken, then everything is made over, both inside and outside. Everything is setup on new principles. It is a completely new beginning. If this is familiar to you, then seek to renew that experience. Otherwise, strive to gain it — and you will have a genuine New Year’s Day.