Martie's January Newsletter Article

A Time for Serious Resolutions

Year after year when the clock strikes twelve and the New Year arrives, people will make New Year’s resolutions. After looking back at the year that is passing and into the year that is approaching, many of us realize that we need change in our lives. Many will resolve to stop drinking, smoking, and other bad habits. Others will resolve to lose weight, get out of debt, read their Bibles, and pray more. Although, many people make these resolutions with good intentions, it is not too surprising that as much as ninety two percent will not keep them. We seem to start out good keeping our resolutions for the first month or so; then we end up compromising either because we get lazy or we give into temptation. Once we break our resolutions, we get discouraged and eventually give up and say we will attempt again next year.

For the most part, I have been one who usually does not make New Years resolutions. I have realized for a long time that change usually comes through conviction and not because it is a particular time of the year. This year will be different having come across “The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards”. Jonathan Edwards was one of the leading preachers of the Great Awakening and is often said to be America’s greatest theologian. Edwards (not to be confused with the presidential candidate) compiled a list of seventy resolutions when he was around twenty years old that show his profound commitment to the Lord. A few of Edward’s resolutions include:

• Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
• Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, 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 original of it.
• 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.
• Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

These Resolutions should make us think of our personal relationship with the Lord. Ask yourself, have I taken my relationship with the Lord as serious as I should, what is really important in life, and how can I most glorify God in my life. Colossians 3:3 says “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The life we live as Christians is not about us or what we can gain, but should living for the Lord. We must be reminded to daily die to self and sin and commit ourselves to God’s will and God’s Word. If you decide to make resolutions this year, read Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions for encouragement and dedicate your life to living for the Lord. In Edwards’ resolutions he stated that they should be read once per week so they would stay fresh in his mind. All seventy Resolutions can be found at: http://www.apuritansmind.com/ChristianWalk/ResolutionsOfJonathanEdwards.htm