You can do external checks. Some of you may be aware that we take attendance of every regular Sunday worshipper. You can request from our church administrator and check your attendance: if God were to grade your attendance, will your attendance win you an “A” grade or will you fail in your attendance? Sunday Worship attendance may (or may not) be an indication of your spiritual health: ask yourself: why did I not attend Sunday Worship for that particular Sunday? What does that show about my relationship with God: hot or lukewarm? If you have not been serious about your relationship with your Lord as reflected in your Sunday Worship attendance, it is time you make changes to your spiritual attitude. Sunday Worship is critical to your spiritual health.
Check also your tithing. Christians should set aside a portion of your monthly salary or allowance for God each month (the Old Testament suggests 10%). You can divide this offering among 4 or 5 Sundays in a month. Have you been giving faithfully to God? Giving is not only practical for maintaining the various financial expenses of the church. It may reflect also your gratitude to your Saviour. How can we say we love Jesus and yet not give Him a gift each Sunday? If you have not been giving regularly, resolve that starting next year you will give faithfully, regularly, and by faith.
Let’s do some internal checks. Have you grown in holiness? One measure is your habits: have you put off one bad habit amongst several others that are still leaching on to your life. It is not possible to put off every bad habit—that will happen only at death and in heaven. But surely you should resolve to put off one bad habit after almost one full year of working hard. Starve and kill that bad habit. If you have not changed spiritually for the better, I urge you to identify one sin and ask God to help you put it off starting next year.
Do you enjoy God’s presence every day during your Quiet Time? You can experience God’s presence as you read His Word as recorded in the Bible and when you pray. Does your your Quiet Time feel like running to catch a bus? If you are not regular at or making effort to have quality Quiet Time, you will not grow. Hence, I urge you to resolve, starting next year, to set aside a time during which you will not allow anything or anyone to disturb you and your time with your Saviour. Quiet Time cannot be rushed and must be prioritised. Then God will speak to you words of wisdom and comfort, and you will be strengthened with divine strength for each day’s challenges.
Have you been serving the Lord? No, I am not just talking about being faithful in your Sunday Worship duties—you should be faithful. I am referring to your heart. Real service comes from a heart that loves your Saviour. Do you desire to want to do something for your Saviour because you are grateful to Him for saving you from the destruction due to sin and due to hell? Resolve to love the Lord by serving Him next year from your heart. Do not do it just to finish a job. Do so because you love your Saviour. If you have such a godly attitude, you will naturally give your Saviour the best. Then next year will be a blessed year and a truly new year.