Traditionally, News Years is a time for resolutions — many of which are
soon forgotten or abandoned. I don’t make New Years’ resolutions for
that reason. But being resolved, in a meaningful way, to improve
oneself, especially one’s walk with Christ, is a very good thing to do
indeed. Our walk with Christ should involve decisions that will last,
including things like spiritual disciplines, and heart changes that will
lead to more godly approaches to life.
Jonathan Edwards, the renowned pastor/missionary/theologian/
educator, made a series of 70 resolutions in his early years that have
become quite famous for their heavenly-minded commitments to deal
with this world seriously as a follower of Jesus. Did he always keep
them? Probably not, since one of them was:
3: Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself
again.
He was no dummy!
Many of his resolutions involved a commitment to self-examination,
to see if he could do better. Some of these involved his use of time, his
food and drink, and some involved character development, such as:
- 31: Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but
when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of
Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the
lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and
agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything
against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of
this Resolution. - 34: Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the
pure and simple verity.
Most were spiritual: Some of my favorites: - 7: Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to
do, if it were the last hour of my life. - 12: Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or
vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by. - 56: Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my
fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
Whether or not we make resolutions, we all need to be resolved to
follow Christ closely by examining our weakness, battling our sins, being
humble about our gifts, praying earnestly, worshiping from the heart,
and serving others in the church body. Edwards taught us not to float
along — being this way or that on a given day — but to be aware of our
spiritual condition, and move consciously toward Christ daily.
Whether or not we make resolutions, we all need to be resolved to
follow Christ closely by examining our weakness, battling our sins, being
humble about our gifts, praying earnestly, worshiping from the heart,
and serving others in the church body. Edwards taught us not to float
along — being this way or that on a given day — but to be aware of our
spiritual condition, and move consciously toward Christ daily
Yours in Christ,
Originally printed in The AFBC Pony Express. Vol. XIV, No. 1, January 2021.