As 2007 comes to a quick close our mind turns to the marvelous providences of God. Mercy, grace, love and joy have been poured infinitely upon us in 2007. Through numerous blessing we have seen God and His dear Son in many fresh and new ways. Through God’s Word our minds have been enlarged with knowledge of the Holy and a hope that fails not. Our prayers have not gone unanswered for we serve a God that will never leave us or forsake us. Through numerous trials and losses we have learned of God’s comforting hope in Christ. Through many valleys we have sensed His presence with each difficult step taken. Through many gatherings we have drawn closer to family and friends. Yes, pastors and people, 2007 has been a providential year.However, 2008 is at our doorstep. January 1, 2008 may simply be another day but somehow it seems new and fresh. New adventures, new learning, new blessings and fresh beginnings await. What will you do differently in 2008?
- Read the Bible more?
- Pray more?
- Develop a more consistent devotional life?
- Watch what you eat?
- Get married?
- Have children?
What will be different in 2008 that perhaps you wish you could change in 2007? Personally, I hope to continue some personal resolutions written in 2007. I fail miserably everyday but these are simply goals of holiness and Christian growth. With inspiration and a bit of help from Jonathan Edwards, I wrote these resolutions over the course of 2007. I want to share these resolutions and urge you to sit down before clock strikes 12 and consider a fresh beginning and a hope to grow in Christ more than ever in 2008.
1. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently that I may grow in the knowledge of the same.
2. Resolved, to cast away such things that would cause me to doubt the assurance of my salvation and stedfastness in the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Resolved, to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25) and give myself only to her as long as we both may live.
4. Resolved to grow deeper, wider and higher in the knowledge of the Word of God.
5. Resolved to examine my life at the end of each day in order that I may lay before God my daily sin, whether in thought or deed, as best as I can recollect, and seek repentance for those sins.
6. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least be slack my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
7. Resolved, when I have a potential sinful, lustful or otherwise besetting thought to immediately turn my mind to the things of Christ.
8. Resolved that I will do whatsoever I think to be the most to God’s glory, at all times and in all situations.
9. Resolved when in conversation with someone, on whatever topic, when fitting, to turn the conversation to Christ and the things of the gospel that Christ might be glorified in Christian conversation and shared with the lost.
10. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
11. Resolved to write some everyday whether in journals or in notebooks on various subjects.
12. Resolved, plan my day, everyday, being a good steward of my time.
13. Resolved, do not talk negatively about anyone to anyone else, understanding this is sin and only leads to trouble.
14. Resolved, to be slow to speak and quick to hear.
15. Resolved, to examine at the end of each week how I have spent my time the previous week, and look ahead to the next how I can better structure and use my time for God’s glory.
16. Resolved, to read over these resolutions at least once per week and examine how I might better meet them in the coming week, month and year.
17. Resolved, to examine at the end of each week how I might have failed in holiness and look ahead to the next how I might better conform my life to Christ.
18. Resolved, to be self-disciplined when it comes to the watching of television and time spent on the computer in aimless pursuits.
19. Resolved, to show no partiality between rich and poor.
20. Resolved, if there arises a problem or controversy between myself and another person, do not rest until I have went to that person and made reconciliation.
21. 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.
22. Resolved, never do anything, whether in body or soul, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God.
23. Resolved, never do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life or I should hear the last trump and move from this life to stand before God in the next.
24. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both in speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, as if I had committed the same sins or had the same infirmities or failings as others; that 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.
25. Resolved, when I feel pain to think of the horrors of hell and the anguish of martyrdom.
26. Resolved, when I have a lustful or otherwise besetting thought to immediately turn my mind and thoughts, with all my energy, to my wife and children.
27. Resolved, to pray and remember foreign and home missionaries making myself aware of their ministry and work.
28. Resolved, when I find something for my hands to do, do it with all my might, as if I were doing it for God Himself.
29. Resolved, not to make any vows or promises which I will not be able to see though to completion.
30. Resolved, to be salt and light for the gospel and glory of Christ, wherever I am and in whatever capacity I find myself. To spread the good news of the gospel of Christ as often as God would allow me and the Holy Spirit lead.
31. Resolved, to live before others in a way as if they were never to again see a Christian. To manifest the fruits of the Spirit and godliness in such as manner that would prompt them to do the same.
32. Resolved, to mortify sin within my heart, life, mind and body; by the Spirit with as much vigor and violence as the Spirit prompts within me. To seek repentance daily for my sin knowing this is a gift from God meant to produce holiness within my life.
33. Resolved, to cut off my life from anything that would tempt me to sin and cause me to fail in the pursuit of holiness. To severe anything from the members of my body, in seeing, hearing or doing, that would lead to possible temptation and sin.
34. Resolved, to fix my mind, at all times, in all circumstances and in all areas on the glory of Christ and the beauty of His person. To fix my mind and heart on the things of Christ, His kingdom, His cross and the words of Scripture.
Filed under: Jonathan Edwards, Providence, The Christian Life, Various Thoughts
