Here is the third installation of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions. May they be your resolutions as well.
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.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
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 be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
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.
I have been thinking a lot lately on the Proverbs when it states that God favors and blesses the humble. I just got done reading C.J. Mahaney’s book entitled “Humility” and I have never been so ashamed and exposed for who I really am. After reading through it I found how prideful and arrogant I really am. Most of my day is as if I am independent from God and as if I don’t need Him, which is sinful because that is arrogant and prideful to think such a thing. Now I don’t exactly ever stand there and ever say out loud I don’t need God, because I know and say that I do. But through my actions I really do this. So, now that I am exhorted also through Edwards to be resolved to throw away pride, vanity, or any such account. And Edwards and Mahaney alike exhorted me and push me to do this in the same manner, to think upon the cross and the implications thereof. As I have been diligently seeking to do this I have noticed a huge change in my dependence upon Christ and my heart being more broken and saying to myself you need Christ. Now I am also seeking to receive compliments or do things out of complete thankfulness to God and use something or receive something by turning that to God’s glory in my heart. Tomorrow is a new day, here we go!
By: Brandon on March 1, 2008
at 3:16 pm