The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

The resolutions we make as Christians (whether for the New Year or sometime else) ought to be profoundly deeper, and thus categorically different, than the resolutions made by unbelievers.

So if that’s the case, then what kinds of resolutions should we be making?

Though it is not an authoritative list (in the sense that Scripture alone is authoritative), the seventy resolutions of Jonathan Edwards serve as a wonderful example to us in this regard. Amazingly, Edwards penned these resolutions when he was only in his late teens and early twenties. Moreover, the commitments he made were lifelong pursuits; they were not limited to just the next year (as our New Year’s resolutions often are).

Whether you are a New Year's resolutions person or not, it would greatly behoove you to read the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.

Here are a few (abridged) examples:

1. To live for God’s glory (see resolutions #s 1, 4, 27)
2. To make the most of this life, in terms of eternal impact (5, 6, 7, 9, 17, 19, 23, 52, 54, 69)
3. To take sin seriously (8, 24, 25, 26, 37, 56, 57)
4. To become theologically astute (11, 28, 30, 39)
5. To be humble (2, 43, 68)
6. To exhibit self-control in all things (13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 40, 44, 45, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65)
7. To always speak with grace and truth (16, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, 46, 47, 58, 66, 70)
8. To constantly develop an eternal focus (10, 18, 22, 50, 51, 55, 67)
9. To be a faithful Christian, in prayer and dedication (29, 32, 35, 41, 42, 63)
10. To daily pursue a fervent love for Christ (48, 49, 53, 62)

As we consider the resolutions that we make for 2007, we can definitely learn something from the man widely recognized as America’s greatest theologian.

cc: A Puritan's Mind