New Years is a special time for everyone, but a uniquely special time for Christians. There are not many better markers on the calendar that remind us to reflect on past times and to make new resolutions for times to come. Children of God are both encouraged and commanded to examine themselves to see if they are genuinely in the faith, and to make certain their own election by striving to continue in good works. (2 Cor. 13:5, 2 Pet. 1:10) I am not at all hinting that anyone will be made right with God by their works. The Bible is clear that it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that men are justified in the eyes of God. But a saving faith will always be coupled with selfless works. In other words, people are saved by faith alone, but that faith is never alone. This new year, pause to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith, and see to it that your salvation is not in vain by heaping up good works to glorify God.
Because of my lack of creativity, and
my need of clarity and conciseness in word and thought, I decided to pirate my
New Years resolutions this year from Jonathan Edwards. The great theologian is
arguably one of the greatest preachers to ever live. He was a dear servant of
God, and a brilliant intellect. His works have had a tremendous impact on my
life. I only hope that this list will bless you in ways that it did me in
reading them and giving ideas for your new resolves.
1. Resolved, never to do nor contribute in anything,
whether in soul or body, but what tends to the glory of God.
2. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
3. Resolved, never to do anything but duty willingly and
cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing
any man does, the same he will receive from the Lord.”
4. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be
afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
5. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I think I
would, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and the torments of hell.
6. Resolved, never to do anything out
of revenge.
7. Resolved, never to suffer the
least bit of anger to irrational beings.
8. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike,
fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love,
cheerfulness and benignity.
9. Resolved, for there to be something of benevolence, in
all that I speak.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of
martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, to act as if nobody had been so vile as I,
and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or
failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote
nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own
sins and misery to God.
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.
13. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in
eating and drinking.
14. Resolved, to examine carefully and constantly that one
thing in me which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to
direct all my forces against it.
15. Resolved, to cast away things I’ve found decrease my
assurance.
16. 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.
17. Resolved, never to act as if I were any way my own,
but entirely and altogether God’s,
18. Resolved, whenever I do any evil, to trace it back,
till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no
more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the origin of it.
19. Resolved, never to give over, nor slacken my fight
with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
20. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in
the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord
Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him;
that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my
Redeemer.
Soli Deo Gloria.
