Our New Year Focus

There are a good number of people looking ahead to this New Year with anticipation of what might occur. Many believe that this is the year the world is going to end. While this may come to pass or may not, one fact remains certain; this world will eventually come to an end (2 Peter 3:10-13). The real question is not when the world will end, but rather am I ready for that day to come? With this in mind, what should one focus on during this New Year to ensure the Day will not catch one off guard? Peter gives us three focal points to consider as we look ahead to this year:

1) “…be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” -2Peter 3:14. There are many tactics that Satan uses to try and draw us away from God. He will use temptation of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of life. Peter urges us to be resistant to these tactics and focus on what is going to outlast the desires of the flesh. What will outlast these desires is our soul which will return to God –Ecclesiastes 12:7.

2) “...beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness being led away with the error of the wicked.” -2 Peter 3:17. Consider that man had often predicted the end of the world and yet here we are. It is easy to become desensitized to the fact that Christ will return in light of all the false predictions. The challenge for us is not to allow ourselves to be persuaded off the straight and narrow path due to some bad guesses of false prophets. We must be steady and sure along the path that Jesus has left for us to follow.

3) “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” -2 Peter 3:18 There is nothing that will focus our mind on the clear image of Christ better than a sincere love for Him and a deep desire to know Him more fully. When this attitude is present within the heart, the desire to do just what one can get by with is not present. The hope that one can live in sin for a while and not get caught dies and gives birth to a new man who is focused on giving his all to the one and only Savior who loves him so.

As we look ahead to this New Year, may we have as our ultimate goal to be found in Him. God bless.