Resolution No. 31

31. Resolved, Never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of christian honour, and of love to
mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and
failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said any thing
against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this
Resolution.

transported.

Coffee + folk and blues.

If I closed my eyes, I could find myself in a different place…far away. It was that good.

One word: transported.

I find myself being drawn away to another land. Plans are in the making. Past dreams are becoming very possible realities.

In the same way that music and good coffee send a message, words, written and verbal, powerfully force my mind to consider and respond.

The tongue is a powerful tool. A small muscle – but a large ego.

The source of its power – the heart.

I don’t know about you, but my heart is desperately wicked. Therefore, my tongue, when unbridled, can show where I truly belong – hell.

But God!

If it weren’t for His saving grace in my life and His Spirit working in me to make me holy as Christ is holy, I would still let my tongue speak forth all kinds of evil.

Proverbs & James are very clear on this issue:

A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28

The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell…no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. James 3:5-10

This is what I want for my speech – may it always be seasoned with salt:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Resolution No. 1

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God,
and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration;
without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many
myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and
most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do,
whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

I can’t do this on my own. Period.

Thus begins my study of Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions.

As great as resolutions seem, quite the timely subject considering we are now in 2010, they are worthless without the Spirit’s work through them. How arrogant would it be, after salvation accomplished by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, to assume I could achieve holiness on my own. To become like Christ, I need Christ. I need His Spirit actively working in me. Sure, there’s a place for maximum human effort (MHE). But pursuing the goal alone? No.

Holiness. God defines holiness. It describes His very nature. I am called to this standard:

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

I am called to this holy standard for one purpose – the glory of God.

The very first question in the Westminster Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

When I read through this first resolution, my mind is drawn to a psalm of David:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

God receives the glory when I find my delight in Him. When everything else this world offers looks ugly and God looks beautiful, as He truly is, and my desire is to glorify Him, God will give me the desire of my heart – His name glorified.

Practically speaking, how can I pursue the glory of God:

“for my own good, profit, and pleasure”? To be eternally-minded, growing in understanding how to better focus my life completely on Christ, would benefit me far greater than any earthly pursuit.

“without any consideration of time”? God is outside of time. He created me. I am His slave. To use time as an excuse to ignore God and pursue my own glory would be the biggest shame. How can I, a new creature, pursue the dead creature I once was? It is out of the question.

“for the good and advantage of mankind in general”? Making much of Christ, glorifying His name above all else…isn’t that what the gospel is about?

“whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever”? Even when I’m discouraged by others, I should not let them discourage me from giving God the glory in front of them. Christ loved me; therefore, I should love others.

reset.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

I must deny myself.

I must take up my cross each day.

I must follow Christ.

Preamble.

Before embarking on his journey to pursue holiness through seventy written goal statements, Edwards determined to set his course right at the outset.

Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing 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. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Dr. Lawson, in his commentary on Edwards’ pursuit of holiness, “The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards,” summarizes the Preamble, dividing it into 5 themes.

• Personal Inability
• Divine Enablement
• Humble Submission
• Purest Motive
• Regular Review

Today, I want to focus in on Humble Submission.

Honestly, God amazes me in how He orchestrates my study decisions. I started out a month or so ago reading Mahaney’s book on humility. He suggested further study (and practical application) of humility through the study of the incommunicable attributes of God. That suggestion led me to A.W. Pink. I chose to start with God’s sovereignty (as you might have ascertained based on the themes of many posts over the last month. I am still striving to understand God more, particularly as His sovereignty is portrayed throughout the events of Scripture.) In addition to my study on God’s sovereignty, I picked up Dr. Lawson’s book on Edwards. (I recalled the many times I’ve heard godly teachers encourage me to rehearse God’s grace through reading good biographies on the lives of the great heroes of the faith.) Incidentally, Edwards was a man whose life was centered around the sovereignty of God. (This is my story in a nutshell – how I started in personal humility and ended up in the pursuit of holiness, lived out in the Resolutions of one man, Jonathan Edwards.)

Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

The Resolutions, not only for Edwards, but also for me, today, should not be an attempt to gain holiness without the Spirit’s work or for my own personal, God-less desires. Dr. Lawson writes of Edwards, “…the ‘Resolutions’ must be a humble attempt to submit himself to the will of God in all things, for God’s will rules. God had charted a course for his life, one that was ‘good and acceptable and perfect’ (Rom. 12:2), and he must submit to that divine plan in and through his ‘Resolutions.’”

In addition to my study of the sovereignty of God and Edwards and his Resolutions, I have also picked up a reading plan I followed earlier in the year. The plan (Prof. Horner’s Bible-Reading System – download) sets up 10 chapters throughout the Bible to read each day. The benefit of this system is that it gives the reader an opportunity to see God’s hand in the big picture. Today was a great example of seeing God for who He really is. He is like the flawless diamond in that there are so many facets (characteristics/attributes), each with a different colored beam of light. Today (Day 51) had me reading the following chapters of the Bible:

• Ecclesiastes 9 – God is sovereign; God is the source of wisdom.
• Psalm 51 – God afflicts, forgives, and restores sinners. (D.I. & N.I. wrote an awesome song speaking of blessing the name of the Lord, even through the tough times, the valleys. God is faithful to afflict AND faithful to forgive.)
• Proverbs 20 – God is righteous, hating sin; God is creator; God is Savior; God is sovereign and “ordains the steps of man”.
• 1 Samuel 2 – God is the provider of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17); God is our salvation; God is holy; God has the power to “kill and make alive”; God is creator; God is strong; God is the Protector of His chosen ones; God is Judge; God is worthy of honor and praise.
• Isaiah 51 – God is the Comforter; God is our salvation; God is righteous; God is strong; God is powerful; God performs mighty works, miracles in our eyes; God is our Maker; God is LORD; God is full of wrath against sin.

These are just a few of the observations that can be gleaned from the passages above. I am in awe. How can I stand before such an awesome and holy God? Were it not for His Son, Christ Jesus….

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

the real reason

HOLY CHILD WHO CHOSE THE HEARTS OF MEN

Holy Child who chose the hearts of men
To be His favoured home
Leaving heaven’s gates for Bethlehem
God came to call His own
Now to us the highest King is born
Behold the Royal Son
Glory kneels to mend all that is torn
The promised Child has come

Joy and pain as man He knew on earth
No place to lay His head
As a servant He embraced this world
And on a cross He bled
Having borne the deepest grief of man
He rose to heaven’s throne
Now I’m sheltered in the Father’s hand
I stand by grace alone

May the gift of God amaze us still
The triumph of all time
As His child I kneel to Heaven’s will
To make His purpose mine
Though this road be scarred with trial and pain
It’s paved with lavish grace
Knowing Him will be my greatest gain
My hope the Saviour’s face

Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © Thankyou Music 2004

I’m immensely encouraged by this doctrine-packed hymn for the Christmas season. It is truly a celebration of the incarnation. Not merely focusing on the physical birth of Christ, the hymn writers point to the real reason for the incarnation – Why did Christ come to earth? To die. To sacrifice His life. He took my place.

I hope you are encouraged by this Christmas hymn as I was. The following are just a few notes on observations I made from the lyrics to this Christ-honoring hymn:

The first verse makes a great emphasis on the sovereignty of God and on His faithfulness in keeping His word. The Old Testament is full of prophecies of the coming Messiah. Christ fulfilled every single one!

The second verse shows Christ’s manhood and servant heart. The sacrifice He paid on my behalf is immeasurable. He “bore the wrath reserved for me. Now all I now is grace.” (All I Have is Christ, by Sovereign Grace) The lyrics also point to assurance and security. Nothing can take me from the Father’s hand. I am forever His child. His great love will never go away. (Romans 8) Grace alone – Sola Gratia! (Incidentally, this is the topic for the next Sola Conference at my home church. Follow the link to see a preview of coming attractions: 2010 Sola Conference. Go to the media section to view a short film portraying the doctrine of grace alone.)

The third verse points to how believers should live in light of Christ’s birth and death.

I am no longer mine. I am here to do the will of God.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ Luke 9:23

As hard as life may seem, I will never suffer as much as Christ did. He grants me the grace each day to live for Him. Life is short; so make the most of every moment of time, to the glory of God. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Every moment of my life needs to be focused on Christ. (Hebrews 12:1-3) I want my strongest desire to be Christ – to know Him more, to walk as He walked (1 John 2:5-6), to rest in His promises.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

don’t waste your life

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

When I evaluate my daily walk, I find I waste time on unprofitable things…a lot of time. These are moments I cannot redeem. They are lost forever.

Lose the regret & make a change!

I so much want to use my time wisely and spend the precious moments God has gifted me in a profitable manner.

Paul told the believers in Ephesus to “look carefully….” I am to be discerning in how I conduct my daily life. I am called to walk as the wise man and to make the most of the time given me.

So much can be said here….but I must postpone to a later time when I can devote more time to the study and writing on said subject. Also, this subject ties in quite well with a few of Edwards’ Resolutions.

The infamous tag line shall be placed below :

TO BE CONTINUED

Personal (and Corporate) Conviction

In my study of Jonathan Edwards, I came across a biographical section where the town he ministered in experienced a “mini” revival. Edwards wrote:

“The town seemed to be full of the presence of God; it never was so full of love, nor so full of joy….There were remarkable tokens of God’s presence in almost every house…everyone [was] earnestly intent on the public worship.”

I know I’m far from perfect; even my worship is tainted with sin and selfishness. I also know that God is not finished with me.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Sanctification is a process. I want to do my part, as Edwards pursued in his Resolutions, to strive for holiness.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Maximum Human Effort (MHE)!

With this post, I’m still setting the groundwork for my study of Edwards’ Resolutions. When I came across the quote I posted above, I instantly felt a void in my own life and worship. Unfortunately, I also see it around me in the corporate setting.

The question is: What am I going to do about it?

…it never was so full of love, nor so full of joy….everyone [was] earnestly intent on the public worship.

I don’t want my life to be described as unloving, without joy, or spiritually comatose.

Where is my love – for God, for my brothers and sisters in Christ, for the lost, for the Word of God?

Where is my joy – in Christ’s resurrection, in my salvation, in the living hope & inheritance I have been promised, in Christian fellowship?

Where is my worship – intense, vibrant, true, spiritual, holy, sanctified?

As I contemplate my response to these questions, I realize I have an opportunity even now to practice love, joy, and worship. In the personal setting which I find myself currently, I can implement the following actions, attitudes, and goals:

• Love:
  • Prayer – for lost family members and friends; for my brothers and sisters in Christ; for the sick, hurting, and dying; for church and government leadership; for missionaries spreading the gospel across the globe.
    • For my brothers and sisters in Christ – for their growth in love for the Lord and each other; for their sanctification; for their needs, spiritual and physical.
  • Personal application – studying the attributes of God (producing not only a greater love for Christ, but also a deeper humility in my heart as I live Coram Deo); rehearsing God’s grace in my salvation and sanctification; thanking the Lord for “every good thing given and every perfect gift.” (James 1:17)
• Joy:
  • In salvation – recognizing God’s grace and mercy; praising God for His love for me; thanking God for His choosing me.
  • In fellowship – giving thanks to God for His blessing me with the fellowship of like-minded believers; praying that their joy may be made full.
  • In hope – finding joy and peace in my eternal future with Christ.
• Worship:
  • Prayer – seeking to apply the various focuses of prayer: praise, adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication; asking God for wisdom (James 1:5); pursuing God’s will and desiring Him above all else (Psalm 37:4-5).
  • Bible Study – observing the big picture, taking in all of God’s inspired Word, both Old and New Testaments; striving to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus; seeking ways to apply what I learn in my daily walk.
  • Meditation – taking my study of the Bible and thinking over it throughout the day; recalling everything the Lord has done for me; praising and praying from memorized Scripture.
  • Music – orally and/or audibly, praising and thanking God through Christ-honoring music; surrounding myself with lyrics that promote sanctification and the giving of thanks and praise to God.

I find myself with the opportunity to practice these things corporately tomorrow evening at Bible study. I hope my striving for greater love, joy, and worship will be evident & contagious! I pray that God would use me as an instrument of grace in His hand to edify my brothers and sisters and to spur them on to love and good deeds!

I want to share my musings on Edwards’ Resolutions soon, but for now, I will merely post the text from the First Resolution:

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Resolved!

I’m taking on a challenge.

“The beauty of Christianity is the beauty of holiness.” David Vaughan

My problem: I see my life lacking in the pursuit of holiness.

My inspiration: Jonathan Edwards.

My goal: To glorify God with my life. (The ultimate desire of every believer should be the glory of God.)

My action plan: To study and put into practice Edwards’ 70 Resolutions. (As a result of my studies, I plan on jotting down a few thoughts about each resolution; particularly as each one relates to Biblical application, exhortation, and wisdom.)

What I am NOT trying to accomplish:

• Works-based salvation. (I have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! My efforts in this challenge are meant only to shape me more into the image of Christ.)
• Painting a pretty picture about myself. (I am a wretched sinner, albeit saved by grace. My intent is to find the many areas in my life that I can improve in. I recognize God’s sovereignty and I am deeply humbled by the standard found in Christ’s perfect, sacrificial life.)
• Daily checking off a moral to-do list. (The resolutions are not intended to be “completed” like a list of short-term goals. Holiness (Christlikeness) is a life-long pursuit. My intent is to become more disciplined in my pursuit of Christlikeness throughout my daily Christian walk.)

What I AM trying to accomplish:

• Compile a written record of knowledge gained, joy experienced, difficulties undergone, hope and faith established, etc.
• Establish an informal accountability. (My intent in posting my thoughts publicly is, in a way, accountability. For those who know me in person, I would hope you would approach me when I am not living up to the clear commands of Scripture. Much of what I post I realize may never be read by another person. My goal is certainly not to impress anyone with my words. If anything, I pray any readers will be encouraged and/or exhorted to pursue holiness and the glory of God.)
• Provide a resource for other believers to be edified and spurred on to pursue Christ every day.
• Present a venue for readers to post relevant thoughts and comments pertaining to the pursuit of holiness.

My current resources:

• “The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards,” by Dr. Steven J. Lawson
• The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (provided by Desiring God Ministries) – Resolutions

I hope God will bless this practical journey toward holiness. To any readers out there, I hope you’ll be encouraged by this challenge I am undertaking. May God also bless your pursuit to be more like Christ!

thankful…for God’s sovereignty

“Since God is God, who dare challenge His prerogative? To murmur against Him is rank rebellion. To question His ways is to impugn His wisdom. To criticize Him is sin of the deepest dye. Have we forgotten who He is?” A. W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God

I am thankful that God is God. He is the Potter and I am merely clay. I am being fashioned by His omnipotent hand into whatever tool He wants me to be for His glory.