Godly Resolutions

Godly Resolutions. Most resolutions for a new year are like smoke — they tend to dissipate and disappear shortly after the new year. Indeed, James warns us about future predictions — "And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” (James 4:13–15)

But what about the desire to make godly, Christ-honoring resolutions? One thinks of the seventy resolutions of the famous pastor and theologian, Jonathan Edwards, back in the 1700s.  As a young man, Edwards seriously considered his life before God and desired to become a holy man, a true servant of the Lord, and a godly instrument for Christ in his generation. Thus, he penned what we know are seventy (70) resolutions that, although we do not have the original manuscript, others have copied them for us. His main thrust in making these very stringent and diligent resolutions was a deep humility before God — Aware that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do pray that, by his grace, he will enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are in line with his will, and that they will honor Christ.

A helpful and informative book on these resolutions is that provided by Matthew Everhard, Holy Living: Jonathan Edwards’s Seventy Resolutions for Living the Christian Life, Tyndale House, 2021. He provides a solid historical and inviting introduction on Edwards' life and thinking. A couple of them are especially significant for me. Perhaps others would be for you —

"Resolved: I will DO whatever I think will be most to God’s glory; and my own good, profit and pleasure, for as long as I live. I will do all these things without any consideration of the time they take. Resolved: to do whatever I understand to be my duty and will provide the most good and benefit to mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I encounter, and no matter how many I experience or how severe they may be.

Resolved: Never lose one moment of time; but seize the time to use it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved: To live with all my might . . . while I do live.

Resolved: Never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved: When I think of any theological question to be resolved, I will immediately do whatever I can to solve it, … if circumstances don’t hinder.

Resolved: Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved: I will live in such a way, as I will wish I had done when I come to die."

We can learn a couple of things about resolutions for the new year from Jonathan Edwards.First, they must be made in all humility of thought and action. Grandiose and prideful resolutions before God are useless and even sinful. They must be made under the overarching will of God for your life. They must be God-centered and Christ-empowered. Intimacy with God and his Word pave the way for such resolutions that will last and produce spiritually satisfying fruit. Actions must go along with resolve. We must put them daily into practice, remind ourselves of them, and review them often, even weekly, for whether we have reneged or failed at any of them, and be ready to freely and conscientiously repent and redo.

Godly living is serious business. Are you ready for resolutions that put your spirituality to the test and force you to live more closely to the Lord than ever beforehand? If so, make those new year resolutions, trusting in the gracious favor of God to keep you on the path.

(Resolutions photo courtesy of 83064897 © creativecommonsstockphotos | Dreamstime.com)