It’s the beginning of the year. We’re posting our Bible reading plans on social media. We’re keeping track of what we eat, what we read, and what we do to better ourselves. But come February, an embarrassingly miniscule percentage of us will still be “resolving.” 

Here’s a resolution worth keeping. Make a commitment to let Jesus be the majority partner in your life. It will change everything. Let’s look at how that happens. 

1 John 1:3-4 (MSG)

We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!

John’s speaking as a pastor to his flock in this passage. He’s concerned about some disruptive behavior he’s seeing in his congregation. Some of them didn’t want to be pinned down to the God that Jesus reveals or to the love Jesus extends. They wanted God and love to be their idea. 

John knows that before we can correct the behavior, you have to establish right thinking, or doctrine. He tells them, “God wants a relationship with you. Jesus wants a relationship with you. Jesus and God are ONE. You don’t see one without the other. I want to see you find your place in this relationship.” 

He continues, “We saw it. We heard it. We witnessed this relationship, and when you experience it, you’ll double your joy.” 

When we get our thinking right, we can live the Truth. Basically, John is telling us that how we relate to other people lets them know how we feel about God. Everything we do is a reflection of that relationship. 

And we work on our relationship with God through devotions—prayer, worship, study, and fellowship with other believers. That’s Christianity 101. But there’s a piece missing for many of us. That’s what John is telling us. 

He’s not the majority partner in the business of your life. Many of us make Him a minority partner. We want Him to step in when we need help. We’ve got this until it gets bad. That’s when we need Him. He wants and deserves more. 

Here’s how to correct your thinking: 

1. Realize what God did for you. We all know that the wages of sin are death. But do you realize God broke His own rule for you? He loves you so much. He wants a relationship with you so much that He forgave you. He sent His Son to restore you to Him. That relationship is the most important thing to Him. Let that really sink in this year. 
2. The life of faith is not based on mountaintop experiences. You’re not going to walk on water every day. You’re not going to see a basket of bread and fish feed 5,000 people every day. 
3. Give up your majority ownership. If you give Jesus the majority ownership of your life, you’re going to find a joy that doesn’t go away. He wants to be there when things are rough. When things are good. When things are okay. Your reward? Love that always has your back. 
4. Stop treating church like a private affair. Church is not for you to practice a private faith. Church is for you to be impacted by congregational life. Get in there and love Him and love the people He’s put in your home and church. Do life together. 
5. Reflect His love. When you are in right relationship with God, your life exudes His love in the words you speak and the way you treat others. That’s been His plan all along. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).