The year 2014 ended full of disturbances, where the monstrous demon of racism reared its ugly head repeatedly, exercising his power and dominion and being made manifest in violent acts both public and domestic, as well as in the proliferation of ideas and doctrines new and old, exacerbating human confusion.

The year 2015 greets us with many personal resolutions in mind.

At this pivotal moment in time many would like something magical to erase the abuses, violence, racism, and the injustices of the past, along with everything that made the end of 2014 such a miserable memory. And many would like the new year to begin with a clean slate where we can write and do things better than before.

But you know what? The truth of the matter is that this is how it is now with respect to our personal lives. We are given a new sunrise each day in which we, through our decisions, will do what we think is best. Here is the secret—it all depends on who guides our lives.

This is what determines the decisions that we make and what we do every day; we will make good decisions, or perhaps bad decisions, but one thing is clear, they will be our decisions.

Now, let’s ask ourselves one thing. Who or what guides our decision-making processes? With whom do we consult? Do we look to the manual of life and seek the direction of the Lord?

The church is living in the midst of terrible anxiety we talk about being brothers and sisters, but don’t treat each other as brothers and sisters, but as enemies—as people at the extremes. We do not realize or want to acknowledge, that sin and disobedience to God is what leads us along diverging paths. The enemy has infiltrated the minds of many Christians in order to make us believe that we should show solidarity with sinners in their sin and perversion, rather than rescue them out of the sin that binds them.

This diabolical intention is aimed at having the Church change its parameters, question the Bible and dilute our confession of faith, in order to accommodate the dictates and strong currents of this lost world in which we live.

The book of Judas, in its last verses is revealing, telling us that in the times in which we live, mockers walk according to their evil desires, they are sensual, which cause divisions, because they do not have the Spirit … and Scripture continues calling on us to convince doubters and save others by snatching them from the fire and showing mercy with fear, hating even the clothing contaminated by their flesh (v. 18-23).

When the time comes for us to analyze what 2014 brought us and to make plans for 2015, some will make serious resolutions for the New Year.

But how serious are these resolutions or promises? The interesting thing is that every personal promise is subject to our control. How serious are we about what we’ve promised?

I am afraid that our promises are often empty because they are human and fickle. We change our opinions as easily as we change our clothes.

If we take some time for honest introspection, we will find that there have been countless promises broken and shattered by momentary lapses in judgment or thoughtless acts of whim. What we really need is Christ living in us, then our will subject to the will of God. Only then will we prosper our walk and live in blessing.

Will you dare devote more time to the spiritual life this coming year? Will you take God’s Word more seriously? This means consistent prayer, Scripture reading, meditation, collaboration in the church through your gifts, quality time with family, improved relationships with others—at work and with your neighbors. Hey, stop, you say. That takes time!

Yes, it does—and you don’t have much time— neither do I, but this means that the same 24 hours we all have, must be better prioritized.

Let’s stop and think about how we make daily use of our time? It is not about sleeping less, resting less, or eating less, but about eliminating the useless things that rob us of precious time.

Some may say to me, It is my job that consumes so much of my time. If this is so, we must ask if we are we working too many hours. Perhaps it is to pay for unnecessary things that we purchased on credit. Be that as it may; things are worse because we already bought the things that we cannot enjoy because we don’t have time.

Is this not the perfect opportunity to evaluate what is really worthwhile in life? Is it your family and your spiritual life, or is it the accumulation of wealth and things that, when you die, may end up in the hands of total strangers to enjoy?

Perhaps you might say that life is unfair, but shouldn’t you consider instead what your choices will be with regard to the most important things in your life? What were your decisions and New Year’s resolutions? Do they have a lot to do with your spiritual life or are they selfishly materialistic and God-distancing?

Church, continue preaching the sound and unadulterated doctrine. And most of all, continue to live personally as true followers of Christ.

Lord, help us put into proper perspective the things that have great value in this life and the next.