Fourth Year Ministries

Q: Why is it so hard to maintain resolutions that people make for the New Year? I want to walk with Jesus but it's so hard sometimes! Am I doing something wrong? A: The first full week of 2015 has come and gone. In just a short week, many people have already become frustrated. They have failed to keep their New Year's resolution(s). If you made some resolutions, how are you doing with them? Change is hard. Many explanations for this reality are offered. The Bible is clear and straight-forward: Jesus taught that human beings are slaves to sin (John 8:34). This bleak truth works itself out in different ways. For our sinful ways that we enjoy, it doesn't bother us as much. We are slaves to various lusts and impulses in our flesh which we enjoy gratifying. When we enjoy gratifying them, we are usually good at justifying our behaviors. This is a major reason why the spiritual discipline of fasting is not very popular. When we justify our appetites, and enjoy fulfilling...