The start of a new year turns our thoughts in the direction of fresh starts, new goals, and renewal of mind and purpose.
These New Year’s religious quotes can help us as we prepare for the year ahead, to live a life that honors God in what we do.
Whether we are looking for encouragement about our resolutions or wisdom for the beginning of the New Year, these New Year’s religious quotes provide insight from the Bible and from Christian figures of the past and present.
If you like sending New Year cards, a text message with best wishes for a blessed new year, or want to encourage someone with a message of hope, you’ve come to the right place for a special collection of New Year’s religious quotes.
New Year’s Religious Quotes
As we approach this new year, as Christians, our ultimate goal should be to glorify God. We can do this by persevering in what the Lord has given us, by setting new goals that honor Him, and pursuing the Lord in established and new ways.
Let’s take a look at New Year’s religious quotes that help us in setting New Year’s resolutions, renewing our mind, encouraging our Christian walk, and seeing how God has made things new.
Christian Quotes for Goals for the New Year
Wondering if you should set New Year’s resolutions and what they should be? These quotes from Christian speakers and authors, and verses from God’s Word, provide insights on setting goals that glorify God.
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” – Warren Wiersbe, quoted in Side by Side: 8 Conversations to Build Your Confidence in Christ
When we are too discouraged or defeated to set goals or resolutions, it may be because we are resigned to the current circumstances.
Things can change, even if it is just our response to the circumstances around us. And God can change any circumstance. Pray that the Lord will help us see where He wants us to pursue change in the new year.
“It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.” Helen Keller
When we have a New Year’s resolution that is something God has called us to do, it could feel like a huge task ahead of us. God doesn’t always call us to something we can handle on our own. He often calls us to go beyond our own strength, so that we will draw closer to Him as we rely on Him.
“Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
This verse is often quoted in the New Year to emphasize taking care of your body. It actually has a different context, of warning against extramarital affairs.
However, it is a good principle to take care of our bodies, in order to serve the Lord to the best of our abilities. We should honor God with everything we have, including the condition of our bodies.
“God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.” – Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life
This quote reminds us that we are not here to achieve comfort, but rather, to grow in following Christ. When we set goals or New Year’s resolutions, we do well to remember that in this upcoming year.
“Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.” – Jonathan Edwards, quoted in Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2017-2018
It’s easy to jump on a bandwagon! Eating healthy is a little easier on the first day of January when everyone on our Instagram feeds is featuring pictures of healthy breakfasts and sensible snacks.
It’s a lot harder when it’s a few weeks later, and pictures of yummy treats and decadent dinners populate our social media.
As we set any goal that honors the Lord, we need to be OK with following it even if others don’t. It’s good to look for support and advice from others.
But our strength to follow Christ in any endeavor comes from our Lord. We need to follow what He has for us, even if no one else will.
“The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.” James 5:16b
A key part of setting goals for the new year should be prayer! This is a step we can’t skip. God will guide us and change our hearts.
““How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never’!” – Martin Luther, quoted in The Sunday at Home
We sometimes put off good goals, saying that we will do them later. If we are really called to them, we should not answer to the Lord, “Not now.” Let this quote remind us to answer “Yes” to the Lord when He calls us.
Quotes about Christian Renewal
We do good to remind ourselves in the new year that we are not our old selves. God has changed us and continues to change us! These New Year’s religious quotes show us how we have been renewed.
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6
We haven’t earned our salvation by our good works, but the Lord has given us the gift of salvation in His kindness towards us. We are then renewed in the Holy Spirit. This is a great act of God’s mercy!
“If you are not thinking right, if your mind is not being renewed, if you are not perceiving God and His Word properly, it will be reflected in your emotional life.” – Neil T. Anderson, in Daily in Christ: A Devotional
As we try to make positive choices and helpful changes in the new year, we might wonder why we aren’t changing. If we are not allowing God to renew us through His Word and fellowship, we aren’t being equipped to change. We should not neglect our walk with God in pursuit of anything else.
“And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” Ephesians 4:23-24
It can be easy for us to slip into the person we used to be at times. Stress, a certain environment, or other triggers can make it easier to act how we used to act.
We are called to put on the “new man,” which God has created in us. It is such a special gift to us that should not be taken lightly.
“Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10
This Bible verse reminds us that we should “put off” the old man. We should not pursue our old ways, but can live in the “new man” that God has created us to be. He will renew us in knowledge and change our hearts and minds.
“It is good to renew ourselves, from time to time, by closely examining the state of our souls, as if we had never done it before; for nothing tends more to the full assurance of faith, than to keep ourselves by this means in humility, and the exercise of all good works.” – John Wesley, The Works of the Late Reverend John Wesley, A.M.
Even if setting New Year’s resolutions isn’t a goal, it’s good for us to examine our hearts, and to ask God to search our hearts. We may be comfortable with a sinful habit or a relationship that doesn’t honor the Lord.
Let’s ask God to renew us in the new year by examining our souls and the things that come from it.
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
In this new year, we will hear many things that aren’t true. Let’s not conform to the world by believing it. Instead, let the Lord renew your mind.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:2-5 KJV
The Lord will renew not only our hearts, but will refresh and renew us so that “thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” What an encouragement to us as we age! He will provide for what He has called us to do.
Quotes to Help Your Christian Walk in the New Year
Even if we aren’t setting resolutions for the New Year, we can benefit from the feeling of a fresh start by concentrating on our walk with God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
If we set no other goals, “excelling in the fruits of the Spirit” would be enough! These are traits that we have access to by the power of the Holy Spirit, but we don’t always live by the Spirit.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
What a great reminder for us to live a life where our hearts are ruled by God’s peace. We are also encouraged to live a life in unity with others, with an attitude of thankfulness.
“Christlikeness is a journey, not a destination – at least on the side of God’s radical transformation of the world during the end times. The joy is in the journey. Plan on a lifetime of travel.” – Chuck Swindoll, So You Want To Be Like Christ
This quote from Chuck Swindoll provides insight into being a follower of Christ. We will never truly achieve being like Christ this side of heaven. But as we take steps each day toward this goal, we progress in the journey towards that goal.
Taking joy in the journey celebrates the sanctification that the Lord is doing in us. It also reminds us that this is a journey, and we need to persevere in it.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
As we embrace the new year, we can rejoice that the Lord creates a clean heart in us as we ask for forgiveness. We can pray for Him to change our hearts, and He will answer!
“We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
What a blessing it is to have our new life in Christ!
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 KJV
We need not walk in defeat for yesterday’s, last week’s, or our distant past failures. The Lord gives us His mercy, compassion, and hope each day. We can approach this new year with a fresh start.
“That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9
“Nothing new under the sun” is a phrase that still is used by the culture of today. This principle is good to remember as we often think we face troubles that no one has before; we are in special circumstances that no one has faced. This feeling can often lead us into rationalizing an ungodly or sinful response.
We would do good in our Christian walk to take this Bible verse to heart, and seek out other Christians for advice and wisdom as to how to proceed with a difficult situation. It might not be an exact match for the current problem we face, but it can produce helpful advice.
Christian Quotes about Being Made New
God looks at us differently than other people do. 1 Samuel 16:7b ESV reminds us that “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
As we embrace the Good News of Jesus Christ into our hearts, He has made us new! Be encouraged by these quotes about God making us a new creation.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
While we might deal with some of the consequences or the reputation of our old self, God sees us as a new creation. In this new year, we can endeavor to embrace this truth. We can also give people the gift of seeing them as a new creation, and giving them a fresh start with us.
“If you’re going in the wrong direction, turning around is the only right direction.” – Woodrow Kroll, Giants of the Old Testament
Turning from our sins is the right response to the new person that God has made us. When we’ve veered off the course of what God has called us to do, we can make a U-turn and go back the right way.
It can be incredibly difficult, but in the end, following God’s way is worth it.
“He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.’” Revelation 21:5
While this Bible verse refers to the new heaven and new earth created by God, it reminds us of the infinite power that God has to make things new! This principle can be seen extensively throughout our lives now!
“Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
While this is a prophecy from the Old Testament foretelling Jesus’ time here on earth, the principle here is one we can be encouraged by today.
The Lord will do a new thing, where we might have not ever imagined something could happen. He will do new things in this new year – watch for it and be part of it!
Collection of New Year’s Bible Verses Printable
In a related post that features a collection of New Year Bible verses, I’m providing a printable featuring Bible verses that can encourage you in the New Year. Download it here.
These verses from the Word of God can also be helpful for sending religious New Year wishes to a friend, texting family members greetings for a prosperous new year, or as an alternative to the standard very happy New Year message.
Looking for free Christian Printables?
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Free Bible Verse Printables
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Whether you have found this post for your own edification, used it as a resource for sending religious New Year messages to Christian friends or family, or added a quote to a New Years card, I hope these Christian New Year quotes have helped you find what you need.
These Christian quotes about being made new can be a great source of encouragement and new hope as we enter this blessed year. Some of these quotes are perfect for sending Biblical new year wishes in greeting cards, especially for those who are encouraged by a religious message.
As we approach the beginning of a new year, amidst the New Year celebrations and the busyness that can follow the holidays, let’s take time to be thankful for what could be a new chapter in your life. Let’s share the living hope that we have through the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May God’s presence and God’s love be known to you in this next year!
If you liked New Year’s Religious Quotes, you may also like Bible Verses for New Year’s Resolutions and Bible Journal Ideas.
