It's the time of year when people are making resolutions.
Although they are not New Year resolutions, the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards are well worth looking at the start of 2014.
First, Edwards reminds us of our need for God's help as we strive to progress in the Christian life. In the preface to his list of resolutions he writes: "Being sensible that I 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." Edwards understood that we depend on God for every step forward; yet he was resolved to perform these commitments. There is a helpful picture of the Christian's life of sanctification.
Secondly, if you're looking for some resolutions worth making, read through the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. Here are a few of Edwards' resolutions (there are seventy in all).
"4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it."
"5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I can."
"6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live."
"8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, 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."
If you'd like to read the rest of Edwards' resolution, go here.