At this time of year, we often hear people say, “New year, new me.” It’s a catchy phrase that reflects our inner desire to break bad habits and resolve to become new people, or at least better people.
But for many of us, becoming a “new me” is difficult. Adopting a new lifestyle is, as you might expect, incredibly difficult and sometimes downright daunting.
So what can we do when we’re tempted to break our New Year’s resolutions? What can we do when we feel like giving up on a goal we have set for ourselves?
Simple.
It’s not so much about what we can do as it is about who we can turn to for help: Jesus, the “pioneer and perfecter of the faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus, our model
In Hebrews 12:1-3we are advised to model ourselves on Jesus, whose determination to accomplish his mission on earth encourages us to do the same:
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” declares the writer to the Hebrews, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”
According to this passage, even though his mission was extremely difficult, Jesus accomplished it because he knew that the end goal was of the utmost importance. Like Jesus, when we commit to a resolution, we must recognize the importance of our goal and do our best to achieve it.
Maybe you’ve decided to lose weight, but you’re afraid you’ll waver in your resolve. (We all know how hard it is to stay away from sugar and carbs!) But, once you think about the long-term benefits of losing weight: 1) becoming healthier, 2) being able to be more present and active in the lives of your children and/or grandchildren, and 3) feeling more secure in the body God gave you – you will feel a wave of newfound confidence in your ability to achieve your resolution.
As the author of Hebrews explains, Jesus completed his race of faith so that “you may not grow weary or lose heart” as he runs yours. His admirable example serves to strengthen your determination and commitment to achieving your goals.
May you always remember that Jesus understands what you are going through because he was human too. He knows what it’s like to feel discouraged, discouraged, and tempted to give up. Rest assured that Jesus – the King of kings and Lord of lords – runs alongside you and encourages you in your efforts to become a new you.
The “old me” versus the “new self”
Throughout his letters, Paul explains that we must strive to leave our “old self” behind and become a new person.
“You have been taught, regarding your old way of life,” he wrote, “to put off your old self” and “to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
The “old man” Paul refers to here is what we were before we met Jesus: broken, sinful, carnal. The “new self,” on the other hand, is the divine nature – a reflection of God, who Paul says is “righteous” and “holy.”
But how exactly do we “put on” this “new self”? It seems easy, like putting on a sweater… but is it? Maybe you’re having trouble maintaining your commitment to eating healthier and exercising every day. Or maybe, if you’re like me, you’ve set a career goal, like writing that book you promised to start years ago, but feel like giving up on.
Every time the temptation to quit smoking arises, reassure yourself! With the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to overcome our doubts and old habits and focus on achieving our personal and professional goals.
The Holy Spirit: our help and our guide
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and determination to “crucify” the traits of the old self – despair, lack of self-control/self-confidence, anger, etc. – and to adopt the characteristics of the new self – joy, temperance, confidence, tranquility, etc. As Paul writes: “Our old self has been crucified with [Jesus] so that the body governed by sin may be abolished” (Romans 6:6).
When you doubt your abilities to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, know that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is inside you. You have your own helper and guide to encourage and uplift you when you lack confidence and courage. No matter what, the Holy Spirit is a trusted companion and friend who will never leave you and who will always support you on your journey to becoming a new person.
While corresponding with the Galatian Church, Paul rejoices in the “crucifixion” of his old self, suggesting that it is through the death of our old self that we can have new life:
“I have been crucified with Christ,” he proclaims with emotion, “and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I live in the body, I live in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
So, if we can participate in the crucifixion of Jesus, it follows that we can also participate in his resurrection. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the power within us to overcome our old selves and become new people. As Paul joyfully declares in Romans 6:4: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too can live a new life. »
Paul the Apostle: an example to follow
When Paul writes: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” » (2 Corinthians 5:17), he spoke from his personal experience.
Before he was a devout Christian evangelist who passionately spread the gospel in ancient Rome, Paul was a staunch Jewish Pharisee who was determined to crush the nascent Christian movement.
“For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism,” Paul said in his Letter to the Galatians, “with what intensity I persecuted the Church of God and tried to destroy it. I was… exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:13-14).
Paul was not exaggerating when he wrote that he was “trying to destroy” the early Christian Church. In fact, he approved of the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 8:1), and, after “going from house to house… snatched men and women and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3).
But one fateful day, as Paul headed to Damascus to arrest the Christians living there, his life changed forever when a flash of light blinded him and he heard a voice calling his name.
“Saul, Saul,” cried the voice, “why do you persecute me?” To Paul’s shock and awe, the voice was then revealed to belong to the very One whose disciples he had decided to destroy.
“I am Jesus,” he declared forcefully, “whom you persecute” (Acts 9:1-5).
After this crucial religious experience, Paul began to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and later became a martyr himself. His astonishing transformation into “a new creation” is ultimately at the heart of his letters and a powerful testimony to the new life that even the worst sinner can find in Jesus.
So, whenever you feel like you can no longer become a new person or get rid of your negative traits or bad habits, remember Paul’s story. Once the greatest adversary of Christianity, Paul eventually became the greatest champion of Christ this world has ever known.
Overall, this new year, don’t just become a “new me.” Dare – like the Apostle Paul and countless saints before you – to become a “new me in Christ”!
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/simonapilolla
Roma Maitlall considers himself a bit of a logophile (from the Greek, meaning “lover of words”). She has loved writing ever since she could hold a pencil, and this passion inspired her to study English at St. John’s University, her alma mater. Now an editor for a New York-based publisher, Roma spends most of her days dreaming of becoming a published author and obsessing about her favorite people in the world: her sisters. She loves exploring museums on the weekends, connecting with her heritage, and learning everything there is to know about history, literature, religion, pop culture, and art. She lives in Queens, New York.