MAKING 2008 A BETTER YEAR FOR CHRIST

As we mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Edwards, let's consider a few of the resolutions that guided Edward's ministry:

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

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.
   
2. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.
   
3. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
   
4. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
   
5. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
   
6. Resolved, To be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
   
7. Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
   
8. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise Him for, or to think any way the more meanly of Him.
   
9. 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.
   
10. Resolved, To strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher excercise of grace, than I was the week before.
    
11. Resolved, To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.
    
12. Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-3.
    
13. Resolved, Never hence-forward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's.
    
14. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world.
    
15. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
    
16. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Jonathan Edwards was a serious man. He took his faith serious. He wanted Christ to govern his life and ministry. As a young man of 19 he was serious about personal spiritual growth, and physical temperance and matters of atttiude, and happiness of heaven. He set down a addressed ways he would live his life.

Edwards was America's greatest theologians and a most devout pastor.

Your theology will lead you to your behaviour.

http://www.apuritansmind.com/ChristianWalk/ResolutionsOfJonathanEdwards.htm

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