In a previous post, I had highlighted part of the journey that Jonathan Edwards had taken when he wrote his 70 resolutions. In the process of that research, I learned that they had became a burden to him rather than something that was freeing and encouraging to his soul. IMHO, part of that reason, was that many of his resolutions were personal whims rather than resolutions that were grounded firmly in the Scriptures.
So with that as a backdrop, I offer the following as biblical resolutions. I do this only by way of brief illustration (the list is not exhaustive); for it to be so you would have to literally reprint most of the Bible. But these cover general areas of the essentials of the faith. Signposts, if you please, that can act as a good remembrance of what the main things are we are to pursue daily in our journey to the Son. My motive in assembling this list is not for it to be read daily as some sort of legalistic exercise; but to be used devotionally, in part or in whole, as a guide in prayer that we can entreat the Holy Spirit to equip us to live to that end and to strengthen us in our life in Christ. Some verses will convict certain days where others will bring comfort; some will exhort us and others will encourage us. But as we come to His Word, it is wonderful to not pray aimlessly, but to pray specifically. You undoubtedly will have several other verses come to mind that represent the overarching key essentials of the faith as well. Please share them with me here and I will add them to this list.
I hope these verses will be an encouragement in your walk with the Lord today. Let us be resolved, to know for certain, what the Lord is asking of us in our generation as we, by His grace, desire to honor Him with an undivided, faithful heart as we daily serve Him.
By His grace and for His glory,
Steve
RESOLVED: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." -Gen. 1:1
RESOLVED: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Cor. 10:31
RESOLVED: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”" -Matt. 22:37-40
RESOLVED: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” -John 4:23-24
RESOLVED: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." -Eph. 6:4
RESOLVED: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Rom. 12:1-2
RESOLVED: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." -Eph. 5:17-21
RESOLVED: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?" -Matt. 15:24-26
RESOLVED: "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." -Luke 24:46-47
RESOLVED: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross." -Col. 1:15-20
RESOLVED: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." -1 Peter 2:12-17
RESOLVED: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." -1 Cor. 9:24-27
RESOLVED: "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." -1 Cor. 2:2
RESOLVED: "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." -Phil. 3:7-11
RESOLVED: "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." -Col. 1:9-12
RESOLVED: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial?* Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? " -2 Cor. 6:14-15
RESOLVED: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and lexhort, with complete patience and teaching." -2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:1-2
RESOLVED: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for hit is God who works in you, both to will and to work for ihis good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God mwithout blemish nin the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine pas lights in the world, holding fast to* qthe word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. " -Phil. 2:12b-16
RESOLVED: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" -Matt. 5:44
RESOLVED: "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." -Psalm 119:10-11
RESOLVED: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Phil. 3:13-14
RESOLVED: "But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." -1 Peter 3:15-16
RESOLVED: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry bthat I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." -Acts 20:24
RESOLVED: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." -2 Tim. 2:15
RESOLVED: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Heb. 12:1-2
RESOLVED: "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake." -2 Cor. 4:5
RESOLVED: "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." -Heb. 10:25
RESOLVED: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit sthe kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." -Matt. 25:34-36
RESOLVED: "Therefore, yconfess your sins to one another and pray for one another, zthat you may be healed. aThe prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." -James 5:16
RESOLVED: "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus," -Phil. 2:1-5
RESOLVED: "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, enot because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that jbeing justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people." -Titus 3:1-8
RESOLVED: "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," -1 Cor. 15:1-4
RESOLVED: "For me to live is Christ and die is gain." -Phil. 1:21
RESOLVED: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”" -Matt. 22:37-40
RESOLVED: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” -John 4:23-24
RESOLVED: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." -Eph. 6:4
RESOLVED: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Rom. 12:1-2
RESOLVED: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." -Eph. 5:17-21
RESOLVED: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?" -Matt. 15:24-26
RESOLVED: "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." -Luke 24:46-47
RESOLVED: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross." -Col. 1:15-20
RESOLVED: "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." -1 Peter 2:12-17
RESOLVED: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." -1 Cor. 9:24-27
RESOLVED: "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." -1 Cor. 2:2
RESOLVED: "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." -Phil. 3:7-11
RESOLVED: "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." -Col. 1:9-12
RESOLVED: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial?* Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? " -2 Cor. 6:14-15
RESOLVED: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and lexhort, with complete patience and teaching." -2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:1-2
RESOLVED: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for hit is God who works in you, both to will and to work for ihis good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God mwithout blemish nin the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine pas lights in the world, holding fast to* qthe word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. " -Phil. 2:12b-16
RESOLVED: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" -Matt. 5:44
RESOLVED: "With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." -Psalm 119:10-11
RESOLVED: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Phil. 3:13-14
RESOLVED: "But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." -1 Peter 3:15-16
RESOLVED: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry bthat I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." -Acts 20:24
RESOLVED: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." -2 Tim. 2:15
RESOLVED: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Heb. 12:1-2
RESOLVED: "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake." -2 Cor. 4:5
RESOLVED: "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." -Heb. 10:25
RESOLVED: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit sthe kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." -Matt. 25:34-36
RESOLVED: "Therefore, yconfess your sins to one another and pray for one another, zthat you may be healed. aThe prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." -James 5:16
RESOLVED: "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus," -Phil. 2:1-5
RESOLVED: "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, enot because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that jbeing justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people." -Titus 3:1-8
RESOLVED: "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," -1 Cor. 15:1-4
RESOLVED: "For me to live is Christ and die is gain." -Phil. 1:21
this has been an encore presentation
33 comments:
Thank you so much for these. What an encouragement today! I struggle deeply with fear. God has taken me through the wilderness time and again on this issue.
RESOLVED: Hebrews 13:5 "...because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
RESOLVED: Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Alice
Very good... Thank you.
Resolved: “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
Our resolve to a life transformed vs. conformed is given impetus and power because of who God is, beautifully shown in the verses immediately preceding: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
Steve,
Brother, I kinda think you missed the point of your own very fine post from June 26, 2008 regarding Jonathan Edwards' re-thinking his Resolutions.
A list of resolutions *seems* like a good idea (especially if it's biblical as these are), but it has at least three problems:
1. It subtly turns the eyes away from Christ to intense daily introspection ("How am I doing? How am I doing now? And now?) which assures its failure.
2. There is almost no end to the long list that could be made (as you point out), and so one ends up "red-lettering" the Scripture with one's own personal "list".
3. It *intends* to be spiritual, but always ends up fleshly by the very nature of "resolving", because it's *external* to the working of the Holy Spirit in us, as we walk by His Spirit.
In other words, one can "resolve" all day long without being filled with the Spirit (and this is normally inevitable, because of #1 above).
Even if we *look* like we are succeeding at keeping a few resolutions, we're missing the Life of Christ in us, producing the fruit of His Spirit.
Better is Tozer's comment:
"While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves -- blessed riddance.
The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One.
While he looks at Christ the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do." (The Pursuit of God, page 91.)
Blessings,
Terry
S.J.
I think that the reason, for example Johnathan Edwards, people become so burdened with wisdom, precepts, ordinances, the law, THE WORD OF GOD TO US, is because they lose focus and forget the great love, the great grace, the great and unmerited mercy that has been shown to us by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He did not have to walk this filthy rotting world and die a humiliating death for those who hate Him. He laid down his life willingly because He loved us so much, and the amazing thing is that He did this with a complete foreknowledge before the foundation of the world.... WOW!
If we focus on this Gospel to us, if we choose to fully appreciate it and understand His sacrifice then we will begin to understand 1 John 5: 3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
His commandments are no longer burdensome because we no longer do them out of legal mandate or obligation, we do them out of the love that He first showed us, we do them because we desire to do them even to the point of death!
Now, Steve, did you review the exegesis from the great expositor Festus that I left at the end of the Keller/Prodigal post. I am interested in your opinion on his interpretation of the parting of the Red Sea.
Debbie
Romans 12:1-2. Excellent!
Terry
I really like Tozer's phrase "tinkering with the soul..." Excellent.
However, I disagree with you in this respect: when it is the Word of God that you are drawing people's eyes towards, then it is no longer inward gazing, but looking unto Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith.
That is why in my essentials I included verses on the glory of Christ, God and His glory, being filled with the Spirit... etc.
In fact, the subtitle of this was for the very reason you stated: by His grace and for His glory. This is not a mechanical exercise or an artificial list of do's and don'ts. This is the Word of God placed as signposts as an encouragement to others in their walk with the Lord.
Are we resolved people by His grace to pursue these things for God and His glory? That is the prayer.
I share your concerns; but I do think making the focus the Word of God as we see a high and lofty view of our Lord Jesus Christ is always profitable for the sin weary soul as we are making our way each day through this world.
After all, His Word is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword... Amen?
So as we walk in the Spirit, may we walk according to the truths of His Word - all of it.
Campi
G-man
His commandments are no longer burdensome because we no longer do them out of legal mandate or obligation, we do them out of the love that He first showed us, we do them because we desire to do them even to the point of death!
SDG!
I guess I understood this post differently--not a list of things I resolve to do--but rather statements of truth to live by and be comforted by/encouraged with and what God Himself has resolved to be for His people. As in, on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!
Great stuff Steve. In light of this being an election year, I would add:
RESOLVED: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
Sometimes, when I look at particular candidiates I get very nervous. This verse reminds me that our Lord is in control! There is nothing to fear from man!
S.J.
SDG! You and your Latin, I had to look it up.
Steve,
You wrote, "...when it is the Word of God that you are drawing people's eyes towards, then it is no longer inward gazing, but looking unto Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith."
Unfortunately that is often not the case.
Every Performance-oriented Legalist cites the Word of God.
But Tozer's point goes over their head year after year, as they make new resolutions, and they never "get it" that the Christian life is Christ expressing His Life through the believer. They are utter strangers to Galatians 2:20.
Entire congregations are often skinny, starving, sickly sheep, starving under verse-by-verse exposition, because the expositor doesn't know how to feed them Jesus, the Bread of Life. And worse, the sheep often think they ARE being fed, while they wither away.
I receive the monthly newsletter of an extremely prominent expositor, well-known for his Bible preaching. Month after month I look for even the name of Jesus in his newsletter, but to no avail. It's all "The Word", "The Word".
I cherish the Word, as I know you do. But Jesus told the Pharisees, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;"--John 5:39.
The verses you cite are wonderful ones, but to turn them into resolutions, and daily checking myself on all 20, or 40, or 500 of them, can only lead to pride (if I think I'm doing pretty well today), or despair (if I think I'm failing miserably today -- the more likely scenario).
Off to work, for now :)
Terry
Alice wrote,
"not a list of things I resolve to do--but rather statements of truth to live by and be comforted by/encouraged with and what God Himself has resolved to be for His people."
In the word of Campi...bingo!
Steve - Great set of resolutions. I would all benefit from developing more RESOLVE in my own life. 1 Cor 9:27: "...but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
This is a common theme in my life, of late, so maybe God's trying to tell me something. My own dauther, on the blog she publishes with her husband was used by God to convict me recently:
People like Paul and Billy Graham weren't born with the kind of faith they died with. God grew their faith as they took steps foward in their relatioship with God. Like a baby that leaps into the arms of its father, never doubting that he will catch him, we must take those steps of faith getting out of our comfort zones and being bold for Christ! In those moments that we feel the Spirit leading us into potentially uncomfortable situation we need to, instead of saying that we can't do it, allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and give us the words to speak to that person at work, or that neighbour. (http://themedinasinperu.blogspot.com/)
They're missionaries in Peru, in a very poor area & they live in much the same poverty as those around them, while I go to Starbucks every day & drive a nice car.
All of this quasi-random thinking reminds me of one of your songs: "There's safety in complacency, but God is calling us out of our comfort zone into a life of complete surrender to the cross. Still true today!
I wanted to get in on this early in the thread, because I’m thinking it’s going to take off.
2 Corinthians 4
"7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
Also, (like Alice), I don’t think this post was intended to evolve into a comprehensive daily checklist for personal achievement or goal-setting; (although we are instructed to daily take up our cross); I think moreover, it can serve well as a compilation of daily reminders (or signposts, as Campi more accurately described them) of the very faith we hold to and the grace by which we live. (And living biblically is a daily struggle......for me, at least).
littlegal
I added this a little while ago in my introduction to help clarify this very thing:
My motive in assembling this list is not for it to be read daily as some sort of legalistic exercise; but to be used devotionally, in part or in whole, as a guide in prayer that we can entreat the Holy Spirit to equip us to live to that end and to strengthen us in our life in Christ. Some verses will convict certain days where others will bring comfort; some will exhort us and others will encourage us. But as we come to His Word, it is wonderful to not pray aimlessly, but to pray specifically.
Hope this helps clarify a bit more.
Steve
"Hope this helps clarify a bit more."
Why, yes, actually...that does lend much clarity and should remove any doubt as to your motive and intent. Pretty much clears it up....:-)
Really good...thank you.
--lg
Hey brother Camp. I do think Terry has a good point. The only thing posted that wasnt scripture was your word and Jonathan Edwards word RESOLVED. It is also the worlds favorite word just after midnight new years eve.
Nuclear energy is neutralized whenever we insert the rod. In much the same way, everytime we insert ourselves with even good and sincere intentions in this respect we can often neutralize the Words of Life. It can often be so sublte in all of our lives and can often lead us another dry run at climbing Mount Everest when God is trying to tell us that he made Mount Everest and a restful gaze and empting of our anxieties upon Him and in His fellowship and delighting in Himself will move that mountain that we so often have tried to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps to climb.
Grace upon grace,
Brian
Theres a little something to that song by Rush of Fools that I have heard a lot on His Radio. I dont know much about the group and would probably not agree with the direction they take in areas where you are sound and firm(for which we are thankful) but I did think this insight was helpful in the lyrics to the song "undo".
"I focus on the score, but I can never win, trying to ignore a life of hiding my sin."
There is something about our doing a good job at our resolutions and climbing great heights and even summiting in even spiritual endeavors and religious activities that can actually help us hide our sin and then the later crash and burn from those peak experiences that never come again that allow us to see that we are not doing so well in other areas or the outright sin and selfishness and egotism we may be ignoring fed by the beast of more resolutions that only a close walk and abiding in Him and immersing ourself in His grace can unlock us from. When we finally believe that we are absolutely free in our walk with Him, then our selfish areas seem to be neutralized by His unselfish grace. Hey brother...talkin to myself mainly boo. The resolution route hasnt given me much victory in the past...only failure and greater anxieties that only the words, "Do not fear little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" were able to bring healing and greater establish a walk in His Grace. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. He is Grace and Truth.
Once again...Grace upon grace to you brother Camp,
Brian
only look
These "resolutions" are nothing but Scripture. Embrace them, obey them, meditate on them, memorize them, hide them in your heart, ponder them, keep them before you, teach them to your children, share them with your friends, pray them, teach them, preach them, proclaim them.
They are God's Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to bind them to your heart and mind, and give you the strength by God's grace to walk in them faithfully. That is what it means to walk in the Spirit; walk in His truth.
"Oh how I love Thy law,.."
Steve
To all
I count all things rubbish except for knowing Christ Jesus my Lord is being resolved.
I sought to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified is being resolved.
Preach the Word in season and out of season is being resolved.
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead is being resolved.
Let's not mince words here.
Oh for a people of God resolved to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus to live for Him, to preach His Word, to obey His truth, to proclaim His gospel... IS being resolved.
The pedestals are empty today in evangelicalism beloved, because everyone seems to be for sale. Be resolved to be known by what your are faithful to, what you will flee from, what you are fighting for, and what you will follow after (1 Tim. 6:12-16).
Amen?
Be resolved.
Steve
One of my favorite verses in the Bible that has ministered in my life is found in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Being unashamed of the gospel is a good resolve.
Robert
only look:
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. It is appreciated.
Robert:
I have been studying 2 Timothy 1 on this very theme of being unashamed. Good word.
Campi
S.J.
If you guys have problems with being resolute or making resolution then there is a problem. The entire Bible was written by men that were resolute. The question is why were they resolute, and yes this would imply that they had resolutions and goals. Have you ever heard of anyone having a head like flint? This is a reference to resolve, to be hard headed in a good way, determined to carry out a predetermined goal or task, to hold to a vow or a promise without a resolve to not compromise. Psalm 119 is a picture of a guy that makes resolutions and is determined to keep them, he even hungers for and becomes languished for God's commands, precepts, ordinances, His word and he is determined to keep them. I do not get the picture of a man that seems to be legally obligated or forced in any way to love and carry out the resolutions that God has set for him. The reason is because he loves God and because of that love for God he loves His commands, precepts, ordinances, His word.
So, that being said I know that Steve put this together with the love of Christ in mind. He did not put it together as a list of requirements or legal mandates, something to strive after but something to pursue in the love that Jesus has given us. Jesus has called us friends, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. What a great thing, and if that is not enough He bore all the cost of our salvation and there is nothing left for us to pay. So, how can I not be resolute in what I do for Him, how can I not follow hard after all of those things in the resolution that Steve has written here today, I love Him so much that his commands, his resolutions for me are no burden at all. Just so you know, I also understand that none of what I fulfill in that resolution is any boast of mine but all of the glory goes to Him, let me decrease that He might increase. I love Christ because of the Love that He first showed me and I will pursue what He asks of me like a man with head of flint because of that love.
"Consider the benefits promised to the true disciple. Jesus said 'You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!' No one can know truth except the one who obeys truth. You think you know truth. People memorize the Scriptures by the yard, but that is not a guarantee of knowing the truth. Truth is not a text. Truth is in the text, but it takes the text plus the Holy Spirit to bring truth to a human soul. A person can memorize a text, but the truth must come from the Holy Spirit through the text. Faith comes by hearing the Word, but faith is also the gift of God by the Holy Spirit." A.W. Tozer Faith Beyond Reason.
So, memorize and focus on the resolutions (as the Scriptures command us to) while depending on the Holy Spirit to bring them to fruition in your life.
Excellent post and comments.
rosemarie
Excellent quote from Tozer! Thank you for sharing it with us here.
Grace and peace,
Steve
RESOLVED: "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." -1 Cor. 2:2
When others choose to argue outside of the boundaries of His Word (including those who claim to be of His Kingdom), I must remind myself that this is my daily goal. I must always redirect my speech, my thought, and my actions in this direction. I must remain inside of this resolution and continually personally decrease...so that He can increase.
Thanks to SJ for the article...I've always been fond of JE's teaching, especially "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God." And thanks to the brethren here, for their encouragement in the Gospel.
detoured by travel
When others choose to argue outside of the boundaries of His Word (including those who claim to be of His Kingdom), I must remind myself that this is my daily goal. I must always redirect my speech, my thought, and my actions in this direction. I must remain inside of this resolution and continually personally decrease...so that He can increase.
Amen and thank you.
Campius
119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
If you love the Lord you don't want to sin against Him. How do you know what not to do if not by His word.
And when a situation comes in your life, be it witnessing to a unbeliever or being nice to an enemy, you RESOLVE to do it because certainly your flesh wants to do the opposite.
I wanted post this verse last year when you posted this entry. But for some reason I couldn't remember where it was located.
2 Thessalonians 1
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. -esv
Ed M.
Test
Resolved: "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:9-11)... "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6).
"I hope these verses will be an encouragement in your walk with the Lord today. Let us be resolved, to know for certain, what the Lord is asking of us in our generation as we, by His grace, desire to honor Him with an undivided, faithful heart as we daily serve Him."
Steve, thank you for this encouragement.
I came across your blog recently in my web wanderings. Many, many (MANY!) years ago I was in Campus Life Singers... Your music and words encouraged me then as well as now.
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