Resolved

New Year's resolutions are dumb. Spiritual resolutions are not. Let me offer an example from history; the well known Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.

Jonathan Edwards was an 18th century pastor and theologian -- arguably the best America has ever produced. When he was a young man, 19 years old, he began to write “Resolutions,” begun in 1722. These he expanded throughout his lifetime as a means of intentional spiritual formation. They were carefully thought out and designed to keep him focused on his spiritual growth and life of faith. They were written to keep him focused on what mattered and were immensely practical and expressed his desire to glorify God in every area of his life.

To introduce his resolutions Edwards wrote,

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will for Christ’s sake.

I encourage you to give all 77 of them a read. You can find them all over the internet.

Let me share a few of them with you to whet your appetite.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s 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 to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many 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 avoid it.

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

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

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.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of.

I will stop here. As you can see, just these resolutions would be a solid foundation for the Christian to not only begin the New Year, but to be our foundational resolutions for our life of faith.

Take up and read Edwards Resolutions. They will encourage and challenge you.

Soli Deo Gloria