As the year draws to a close it seems that just a few days ago it was January 1, 2021. So many people had looked forward to being out of 2020. The new year had to be better, and now the new year is almost over. The time is here to reflect on what has happened this year.
Many people will look back on what has happened at school, or at their job. Some will look at their finances and be pleased or sad. Hopefully most will be happy with all these things. Some lost friends and loved ones over the year, others have had additions to their families. Physical things seem important, and they are, but let one should not forget to look at their spiritual well-being, and what has happened to it over the course of a year.
Physical bodies may have increased or decreased in size since last year, but what about the soul? Peter wrote, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Everyone should realize that just as their physical bodies grew or shrank during the year, the soul did the same.
How much spiritual food was “digested”? Hopefully a good portion of “the word” was taken in and helped growth to occur.
Bible study should be on one’s spiritual menu every day. The word will help one to grow and prosper spiritually. If a person failed to grow spiritually, it most likely is because they failed to do the proper studying of God’s word.
Christians should be able to tell a difference in themselves over past year. It may be that they we know more verses of scripture than before, or perhaps they have a handle on more subjects that are discussed in the Bible. Hopefully Christians have developed a greater love and concern for lost souls.
Just think if everyone would work to grow spiritually, what a wonderful place life would be.
Strength is something that is acquired, it does not just happen. The same is true with spiritual strength. The Lord needs those who are strong and who are willing to stand firm on His word, not willing to compromise with the world or with those in the Church who would depart from the truth. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong (I Cor.
16:13). Spiritual strength helps one to have a better life. God knows whether the Christian has increased or decreased spiritually over the past year. God’s word shows how a person needs to improve. One must take an honest look at their lives and the word of God.
Everyone has room for improvement, but some may need more work than others.
The Hebrew writer told of a people who had failed to grow properly, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb. 5:12).
The year is just about over.
It is a good time to look back and see just what is needed to be a Christian or to become a stronger Christian. Just like the physical body needs work so does the spiritual side of man.