Jonathan Edwards: An Example Worth Following

" I want to remember these three things: the shortness of life, the suddenness of death, the length of eternity...always having an eternal perspective because right now counts FOREVER!" -Jonathan Edwards

I listened to a message earlier this week by Steve Lawson titled "The Use of Your Time" (http://www.illbehonest.com/blog/?p=623) . WIthin the first few minutes I was humbled, amazed and challenged by the faith of a 17 year old young man whose desire from the moment of justification was to bring as much glory to His great God as possible. Jonathan Edwards was truly, as God referred to David in Scripture, a man after God's own heart. His life is a mirror of the Savior and the way in which God used Him is profound. I don't think a day went by in which Edwards didn't seek to fix his whole heart and his eyes on the Savior as He constantly remembered the cross.

By the time he was in his early 20s he had compiled a list of promises he made, commitments to himself later named his "Resolutions"; a list of desires He strove to live by, desires that were shaped by the Word and that would bring His God the most glory possible. Luther didn't shy away from challenging himself to the "extreme" as many would call it. Lawson mentioned that Edward himself said his desire was to be the greatest man of God, not in a prideful sense but rather because of His great love for His Jesus. When you look at the list of resolutions it seems almost impossible, and "extreme" as many might deem it, but is it? Was Edwards over the top with His pursuit of holiness and the Savior or was he right on? The more I read about Edwards and the more I compare him to the Scriptures the more I see how right on he was. This man was a man who denied himself, took up his cross, and daily sought to follow hard after Christ. His life was wrapped in the Savior, his mind, his emotions, his will...everything pointed to Christ. His life shined with a reverence, fear, and passion for Him. The call for ALL disciples, that is any follower of Christ, is an all-out call, a complete life transformation, an exchange of your life for His and all this with a sweet promise of eternity with the Savior . Edwards absolutely had it right, His desire to be the "BEST" Christian in his day was not prideful or absurd but rather a heart seeking to be holy as God is holy and to please His Father. He didn't rely on His own strength but rather humbled himself daily at the foot of the cross seeking for His Father's strength. I can't help but admire the man, desire to imitate his life as He imitated Christ and thank God for the example He is to all of us pursuing our Lord.

Here are a few of my favorite of Edward's resolutions:

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, 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 to do this, whatever
difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

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

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do any thing which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both
carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in, the knowledge of the same.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done
better.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in Him, and consecrate myself wholly to Him; that from this I may have assurance of
my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord’s


May we have the heart of Edwards and Job as seen here, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”- Job 19:25