SIX ESSENTIAL COMMITMENTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

I. Commit Yourself To Maintain Integrity
‘Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.’ 2 Peter 3:14
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.’ Proverbs 10:9
‘The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.’ Proverbs 11:3;
‘Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.’ Proverbs 19:1;
‘The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.’ Proverbs 20:7;

II. Commit Yourself To Forgive Those That Hurt You
‘Make every effort to live in peace with all men, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up.’ Hebrews 12:14-15
‘Man that is born of a woman is but a few days and full of trouble…’ Job 14:1
‘And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses…’ Mark.11:25
‘Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.’ Luke 17:3-4
‘And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:32
‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’ Colossians 3:12-13

III. Commit Yourself to Relax and Trust God
‘Anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter into God’s rest.’ Hebrews 4:11
‘Man that is born of a woman is but a few days and full of trouble…’ Job 14:1
‘My Brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…’ James 1:2
‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you….’ I Peter 4:12
‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ Proverbs 3:5-6
‘Men ought always to pray, and not to faint..’ Luke 18:1
‘Pray without ceasing…’ I Thessalonians 5:17
‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…’ James 5:16

IV. Commit Yourself To Be An Encourager
‘Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.’ Romans 14:19
‘We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.’ Romans 15:1-2
‘Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.’ I Thessalonians 5:14
‘Let all things be done unto edifying..’ I Corinthians 14:8
‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers..’ Ephesians 4:29
‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ Proverbs 25:11

V. Commit Yourself To Be A Peacemaker
‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’ Ephesians 4:3

VI. Commit Yourself To Never Stop Growing
‘Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…’ 2 Peter 1:5=8