The Bible tells us that changelessness is one of the defining characteristics of God. Malachi states, “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
Many Christians are comforted by the fact that God is our one constant in a world that is always in flux. There is no beginning or end for the Alpha and the Omega. Christians all over the world are consoled by the revelation that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 12:8).
While the Lord is changeless, change is a defining characteristic of man. Mankind prospers with change and this is not a bad thing. The Bible teaches Christians that every day is a new opportunity to conform to Christ’s image.
If you are resolved to become more Christ-like this year, here are a few Christian goals that you should consider setting for redemption.
1) Hold More of God’s Word in Your Heart
A lifelong goal that all Christians should have is to keep more of God’s word in our hearts. It is one thing to learn God’s word, but another to keep His word in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 states, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11).
God’s word should guide us and change us from within. When Christians keep the word of the Lord hidden in their hearts, it leads to miraculous changes. Therefore, you should make it a goal to read the whole Bible and strive to keep it in your heart every day.
2) Obey the Word of God
The best way that Christians can show their love of the Lord is by obeying what He says. Many Christians falsely believe that it is enough to simply read the Bible or go to church every Sunday. The truth is that all Christians should resolve to live by what is revealed to us in Scripture.
3) Strive for Self-Denial in Your Dedication to Christ
Another Christian goal that you should set for redemption is self-denial in your dedication to Christ. Learning to deny yourself is the best way to put yourself on the path to following the Lord Christ. This doesn’t mean you need to starve, beat, or punish yourself death. However, it does mean you should deny yourself anything that will cause you to stray from the path of following the Lord. Therefore, you should make a list of all the things that have distracted you from following Him and strive to give these things up.
4) Visit the Holy Land
Many Christians visit Israel at some point in their lifetime, and they almost always find it life-changing. There are many churches, seminaries, and other institutions that offer scholarships to Christians who are interested in going to the Holy Land but don’t have the financial means to do so. Be sure to take many pictures, and consider keeping a journal during your trip. All the sights you will see and the experiences you will have will likely have a transformative impact on you.
You’ll probably get the most out of the trip if you feel spiritually ready when you go. However, there’s no reason not to go now. After all, traveling is something you should do while you’re young. You can always go a second time if you want to get even more out of the experience. You won’t regret going to the Holy Land. In fact, you may end up regretting not going to Israel earlier.
5) Love Thy Neighbor
Finally, you should strive to love thy neighbor the same way the Lord loves you. If you’re married, this may mean prioritizing your marriage and focusing on renewing your zeal and your faithfulness to your spouse. If you’re single, this may mean loving others in your community and beyond with purity and brotherly love. The first commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The second commandment is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40).
~ 1776 Christian
