“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV)

How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? You remember – that list you made a little over six months ago with two scoops of optimistic enthusiasm, sprinkled with unrealistic expectations, and topped with the cherry of knowing the list isn’t serious anyway.

One of my friends has started making honest New Year’s lists: “I won’t lose ten pounds this year,” “I commit to watching the Super Bowl this year,” “I’ll listen to my iPod at least four days a week.”

But there is one guy who I suspect played for keeps when he made New Year’s resolutions. You know, the zealot who could never do anything half-way, let’s-get-real-about-our-faith, the impossible Apostle Paul.

I can only imagine that Paul’s New Year’s list consisted of only one item, the one made in 1 Corinthians 2:2, where he resolved to know nothing but Christ and him crucified.

Paul’s message is radically simple: Salvation is in

 Christ alone.

That means –

· It’s not Christ plus your good behavior.
· It’s not Christ plus the years you taught a Bible study.
· It’s not Christ plus your tithe.
· It’s not Christ plus the church you attend.
· It’s not Christ plus the number of verses you memorize.
· It’s not Christ plus your title in the church.
· It’s not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar.
· It’s not Christ plus a desert fast (or even a dessert fast!).
· It’s not Christ plus a good driving record.
· It’s not Christ plus well-behaved children.
· It’s not Christ plus your new shined shoes.
· It’s not Christ plus the right job.
· It’s not Christ plus the right spouse.
· It’s not Christ plus the latest technology.

It’s simply Christ.

Christ plus nothing.

That’s Paul’s message, and it’s a message that is as right throughout this year as it will be in 2999. May your new resolution for the year be nothing but Christ and Him crucified.

Dear Brother in Christ,

Thats already a good title for us. I am consciously aware of the comments you have made about the dept of the word Christ ,and the appeal and understanding we must place in it to have a happy life.

Christ is the Spirit which animated the Man JESUS, the spiritual portion of his Godliness which no human eye could see nor understand.

Its also good to believe that the Christ is here today and for ever. The Christ has no birthday nor calendar month, its the actual status of all spiritual men, in and out of Gods Holy universe.

We are blessed in Christ when we see no other source, no other cause, no other redeemer and no other spirituality.

Thanks for this words of Grace.

Pierre Louma

Hello Thomas,

Wonderful message.  I quit making new years resolutions years ago.  This is one that I can make and keep....Thank you so much for sharing.    “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”