Devotional challenges modern readers to take up Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions
In 1722, an 18–year–old Jonathan Edwards began setting down seventy resolutions, personal statements of intent, to which, by the grace of God, he held himself accountable for the rest of his life. He read them prayerfully once a week until his death in 1758. Some examples of these resolutions include:
Resolved to be always discovering new ways to Glorify God in my life and increase both my joy in Jesus and that of others.
Resolved to give my best every week to grow in the grace of God and to be brought to a new and higher place with Jesus than I was the week before.
Resolved, as far as possible, when presented with something wonderful and puzzling about God and His ways, to not delay in opening my Bible and my heart to search and discover all that God has revealed to me about Himself.
Resolved to be eagerly seeking out those to whom I can be generous and charitable.
Resolved,
whenever I hear of or see something praiseworthy in another person to seek to imitate it in my life.
John Gillespie here examines each resolution in the light of scripture and encourages modern readers to meditate on how they could apply Edwards’ resolutions to their own lives.
Each of the 70 short readings begins with the resolution in question and a passage from the Bible, and ends with a verse or quote to meditate on. The devotionals expound on Edwards’ words and call 21st century Christians to think about how they could apply his resolutions to their lives today.
Endorsements
…
helps us focus our mortal eyes on eternity by reminding us of what it means to live the Christian life.
Matthew Everhard Pastor, Gospel Fellowship PCA, Valencia, Pennsylvania; contributor, ‘The Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia’
What a wonderfully devotional, and yet deeply challenging book! Devotional, because each of Edwards’ resolutions reflect the desires of my own heart, and challenging, because my life is yet to match their reality. Devotional, because John links them with honest pastoral care to the circumstances of my own life in a 21st century setting, and challenging, because he doesn’t hold back from addressing the barriers in my own heart [how does he know?!] to a similar commitment that Edwards gave. Devotional, because in each chapter John points me to the grace of Jesus, the Father’s heart for me, and the Spirit’s lifelong investment into shaping me, and challenging, because he calls me to pick up my cross with a ‘death to self’ call alongside Edwards each time.I used this as my ‘book before bed’ over the last few months, as it was so easy to read but left a deep impact. The chapters are only 3 pages long, and start with one of Edwards’ resolutions which is put in modern language. John immediately links it to scripture so we are in no doubt that the resolution has a biblical foundation. He then gets under my skin with deep pastoral insight that comes from obvious reflection on his own heart and having served many others over the years. His own humility and self awareness makes it easy for me to agree that I have the same needs. Each chapter ends with a quotation from another Christian which often brought out an audible grunt of agreement.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I only have two things I’d like to have changed. Firstly, that I read the book in the morning and not the evening! By resolution 10, I realised I wasn’t going to sleep as soon after as I thought. Each resolution caused me to reflect deeper on my own heart than I expected, and moved me to prayer for longer than I intended. Being stubborn with my routines and book reading, I continued! Secondly, all 70 resolutions are listed in the back of the book which would have been a great few pages to photocopy and read aloud every so often. However, they have been put back into their original form which takes a lot more mental gymnastics to interpret. Hopefully the second edition will have them listed in the up–to–date version that John has presented in this wonderfully devotional and yet challenging chisel on my heart.
Jim Hillier
… will bring to our present–day situation the genius of Jonathan Edwards and apply his Resolutions to the lives we lead. Get ready to be challenged!
Andy Paterson Associate Pastor, Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh; author, ‘Ready?: Evangelism for Everyone’
Read it earnestly, prayerfully, with Edwardsean intensity. I bet God will use it to renovate your life.
Douglas A. Sweeney Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
John, together with his wife, Tessa, has pastored churches in the UK and USA for forty years. They now live in Kansas City, Kansas. They have also travelled extensively with Global Training Network to love, equip and encourage pastors and workers in the Majority World. They have seven children and twenty two grandchildren (so far!).
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