Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions (Part 1)

Many of you are familiar with the resolutions Jonathan Edwards made.  In the preface to his resolutions he said, "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." 

Let us look at four of them individually:

"Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but to improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Resolved, never henceforward, until I die, to act as if I were any way my own; but entirely and altogether God's.

Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I think I would do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and the torments of hell."

The first resolution above concerns loving our Lord by keeping the eighth commandment.  That we wouldn't steal the time God has given to us or waste it.  Our Lord has given us His Word which says in Proverbs 18, "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." and in 2 Thessalonians 3, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."  Let us not live as slothful or lazy, we do this all the time in our work, within our families.  But we can't lose one moment of time.  Our Lord and Savior has given each second to us, do not waste your life with frivolous pursuits.  What will it gain you?  More importantly, what will it gain for the Kingdom and His glory?  Nothing!  But to you have been revealed and taught the mysteries which in ages past were hidden from wise men, even the prophets.  You know who your Messiah is, you know who delivered you from all your sins. It was Jesus who is your propitiation (bearing the wrath you very much deserved for your sin).  O let us live for Him, serve Him, give up the pleasures of this life for Him, suffer for Him.  And the promise, if we endure, we will reign with Him, we will receive a righteous man's reward, we will receive eternal blessings in Christ Jesus that cannot be conceived of in our little minds.  Let us improve the time we are given in the most profitable way possible for His glory.  You will not be disappointed, but you will store up treasures in heaven.