In the movie, Courageous, the Kendrick brothers presented a Resolution for fathers as leaders in their household. I was moved by the movie in so many ways. I believe in the commitments detailed in the Resolution and renew them annually with my wife and children. To round out the year, I want to share my thoughts on these commitments.
I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.
9. I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.
I tend to gravitate to John 3:17 (“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”). This means that it is not my role to judge or condemn others. I have my own sins to worry about. I am a flawed person. I make mistakes and I sin. Nonetheless, I strive to be a man of integrity. To repent is to turn—to pursue change. Thus, I strive to be my best today and be better tomorrow. Repentance is not just about sin. It is not about personal salvation (in my opinion). It is also about being a better person for others.
10. I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.
I have no intention to being faithful to any church as an organizational structure. That leads only to misguided faith. To be faithful to God’s Church is to faithful to his Creation and all who believe on him. I honor God be loving others—all others. God is, after all, love. I do believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Word, thus I resolve to obey his words. I do not accept the teachings of churches that are not consistent with these words. Jesus summed up the Commandments and the Law in two commands: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…and…love your neighbor as yourself.” These are to “honor God, be faithful to his Church, obey his word, and do his will.” I don’t see this fulfilled in the religions of the world. I certainly don’t see it fulfilled in my own life. Nonetheless, I resolve to do my best today and be better tomorrow.