A different kind of resolution

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
– 1 Corinthians 2:2

What does it mean to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified?

That resolution comes from the Apostle Paul, who wrote in another letter: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”[1. Philippians 3:10-11]

I’ve resolved to floss more this next year, and eat more vegetables. Good things to do. These certainly aren’t things I need to neglect for the sake of knowing Christ.

But what if my primary resolution were to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified?

What does it mean to know Christ, the power of his resurrection, participation in his sufferings?
It surely means inward transformation for a godly life.[1. 2 Peter 1:3]
And it’s consistently linked with bold testimony and suffering for the gospel.[1. 2 Timothy 1:7-8]

If I’m honest, I haven’t been bold enough in my testimony to know if it would lead to suffering for the gospel. That confession troubles me. More than flossing or eating vegetables in 2015 (though I hope to do both), I want to conclude the next year without the sense that I’ve been too timid in my testimony about Jesus Christ and him crucified.

The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Oh, that I would have a greater measure of that Spirit in 2015.

A few applicable links as we move into the New Year:

• On the power of Christ’s resurrection in us
• On Bible reading plans
• The power of an invitation
• Thinking about memorizing Scripture this year? Try this

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