Resolutions

At the beginning of a new year, we are often challenged to make resolutions that we seek to accomplish.  As you reflect on the resolutions you would like to make spiritually for the coming year, read some of the seventy resolutions a nineteen-year-old Jonathan Edwards penned in 1722-1723:

1.  Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; with out any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.  Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.  Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and soever, and how great soever. . . .

4.  Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

5.  Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. . . .

7.  Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. . . .

9.  Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, an dof the common circumstances which attend death. . . .

25.  Resolved, To examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it. . . .

28.  Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. . . .

30.  Resolved, To strive every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

(Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 1, xx-xxi)

The above statements are only a few of the resolutions Edwards mentions.  I pray that they will help us to focus better this year on our relationship with Christ.  I pray we will recommit ourselves to individual, family, and corporate worship.  I pray that we will recommit ourselves to love God, love our neighbor, tell our story, and make disciples.

By His Grace,

Dr. Tim McKnight