New Designs

Early in 1723, Jonathan Edwards wrote out seventy resolutions by which he determined to live his life. Last week, we looked at the first of those resolutions, which was as follows:

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 of mankind in general. Resolved so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

Edward’s second and third resolutions refer back to this first resolution. They are as follows:

Resolved, To be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

Edwards determined to do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). And with that Scriptural determination in mind, he then determined to strive with all his might to glorify God, and to repent whenever he fell short.

I recommend these resolutions for several reasons. First, God created us for Himself and for His pleasure (Col. 1:16 and Rev. 4:11), and therefore we fulfill our life’s purpose only inasmuch as we please God. So, our first and best resolution is to seek God’s glory in everything.

Secondly, since our highest calling is to please God, we should always strive to find new designs, new plans, new ways for accomplishing this purpose. This effort itself pleases and glorifies God.

And thirdly, whenever we slacken from our efforts to give God glory, whenever our efforts fall short of diligence, we are in sin, and we must repent. And such repentance also pleases God, giving Him glory. May we so strive to fulfill our "chief end."