Resolving our resolutions in 2026

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Since I am writing a bi-weekly clergy column for the Brookings Beacon, I
originally wished my week to write would have fallen on New Year’s Eve, which is also my birthday. (I’m always surprised when every year people from all around the world are celebrating my birthday with parties and fireworks. I don’t know how they know it’s my birthday, but it’s rather humbling — but I digress.)

Anyway, I thought I wanted to share with you all a word about New Year’s resolutions before the new year started; but I’m coming to the conclusion it’s maybe better that it’s a week after the fact. Because many of us make New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions (whether having to do with our health, our finances, our relationships, or our spirituality) only to find that wefeel like failures after only a week.

So I want to commend all of you who have made a New Years resolution to do something new within your life to become a better person in some way. And I would also like to encourage those of you who have not yet made one, to not wait until next Jan. 1. You can still do it right now!

In addition, I would like to offer a word of edification to those who have made a resolution in which they have already stumbled, because I have as well. I made a personal resolution on Jan. 1st which I have broken a few times thus far. So I could just give up in a defeated way and tell myself that I’ve already failed, therefore my resolution is null and void, so I might as well just resign myself to how I lived before my resolution.

But instead, I am telling myself that I am a better person for trying, and I will be a better person when I eventually succeed.

This mindset allows us to more fully embrace the gospel message; especially this verse in the second letter from the apostle Paul to the people in the Greek city of Corinth.

He begins verse 5:17 by saying, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ...” So our first question might be, “What does it mean to be ‘in Christ.’” Is it merely an intellectual assent that we believe Jesus is the Son of God, or that we’ve been baptized, or that we’ve prayed the “sinner’s prayer” etc.?

Certainly it must mean something deeper than any of those individual things. In fact, I would postulate that to be “in Christ” requires a combination of elements, including knowing and accepting the basic principles which Jesus sanctioned and emulated in his life on earth (including such things as diversity, equity and inclusion).

Also, to be “in Christ” means that we constantly seek to be imbued with the same sinless mindset that he had (even though it is not totally possible for us). Additionally, it means we aspire for our words and actions to be in full alignment with our love of God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love of our neighbor as ourselves.

This verse concludes by saying, “the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

This is indeed “Good News” for all of us. It means that every morning when we rise, and every moment that we take our next breath, represents an opportunity to “indwell” “in Christ.” It means that no matter how far we’ve strayed, and no matter how much we’ve failed, we have the opportunity to start anew. “The old” no longer has a hold on us. We can, and we will overcome, through Christ who gives us strength when we are “in Christ.”

So as you continue into this New Year, take heart. Whatever you resolve to do with your “new creation” in the form of your current and future life, is possible. When we begin with a promise to ourselves and God, to do something that will improve the condition of our life, we may rely on the fact that we are not alone. So when the forces of darkness rise upon you and you feel defeated, rest in the promise that God is for you, and as such, nothing can ultimately stand against you. Go forth; continue to begin anew; and live into your victory!

Blessings,
Pastor Mark Johnsen
Brookings United Church of Christ