The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
(Edited and Abbreviated)
1 Resolved that I will do all I think or say to the glory of God and not to take into consideration my
own comfort, profit or pleasure.
2. Resolved if ever I shall fall and grow dull so as to neglect to keep any of these resolutions, I shall
repent when I come to my senses again.
3. Resolved never to lose one moment of time but use it to the most profitable way I can.
4. Resolved to live with all my might.
5. Resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were my last hour of my life or
before the last trumpet blew.
6. Resolved to act in word and deed as if nobody had been so vile as I to live as if I had committed the
same sins or had the same infirmities or failings as others to confess my own sins and miser to God
when I am prone to look on shame at others.
7. Resolved to think much on the brevity and how short ones life is.
Psalm 90:17 :) Teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom.
8. Resolved when I feel pain or the least of discomfort to think of the pains of martyrdom - the
torments of Hell.
9. Resolved if I see a problem to try to solve it or if someone need help to help them.
10. Resolved if I do help to never become proud or puffed up or seek the credit (glory).
11. Resolved never to do anything out of anger or revenge.
12. Resolved never to speak evil of anyone - to dishonor them unless for some real good reason.
13. Resolved to love all of mankind - walk in humility and look to my own faults and failings.
14. Resolved that I will live as to have no regrets or wish I had done something before I die.
15. Resolved to live each and every day at all times with the things of Eternity always on my mind and
heart. Live for Eternal Purposes - may I not find joy in temporary things but in heavenly things.
16. Resolved to be self controlled in all areas of my life.
17. Resolved to get to the bottom of an evil thought or deed. I commit and repent and do it no more.
18. Resolved to examine carefully and constantly in me - what is the thing that causes me in the least to
doubt the love of God and the assurance of His love to cast it away.
19. Resolved to study the scripture so diligently, constantly and frequently - as that I may find growth
for me and others to observe.
20. Resolved to strive every week to have grown in Grace and closer to God.
21. Resolved never to doubt that God hears every prayer I pray to Him - never to doubt His forgiveness
- every sin I confess.
22. Resolved to live peacefully with all men as much as I can.
23. Resolved only to speak the truth or what is truthful, never vain, frivolous or empty talking.
24. Resolved to inquire every night as I am going to bed, where have I been negligent; what sin have I
committed and where have I denied myself.
25. Resolved to inquire every night, every week, month, year - what would I have done better!
26. Resolved to frequently review my dedication to God to keep my love and heart solely His and to
keep the love burning bright - to repent of a luke warm heart.
27. Resolved to never forget I am not my own but Gods and never to live for myself but God.
28. Resolved that nothing but God, Gods word and Gods will shall influence how I live to shun
anything that is not of Christlike character.
29. Resolved never to allow any pleasure, grief, joy or sorrow, nor an affection at all, or circumstance
to hinder my devotion to God.
30. Resolved to live in utmost respect and honor to all family members especially my own mother and
father.
31. Resolved to look often at the state of my soul.
32. Resolved never to say -i only I could live my life over again I would have done such and such
(no regrets)
33. Resolved to always be mindful of my Lord Jesus Christ to trust and confide and consecrate myself
wholly to Him.
34. Resolved to live as if I had already seen the Joys of Heaven and the torments of Hell!
35. Resolved never to slacken my devotion and resolve to God.
36. Resolved when I fear misfortunes and adversities - to examine if I have been faithful to do my part
and trust; repent of any sin and trust God for the outcome.
37. Resolved to act loving, respectfully, Godly towards all and when I am feeling ungodly to quickly
repent.
38. Resolved in all situations to act Christlike in His nature and character. Did I speak lovingly?
39. Resolved to pray and groan and intercede with all my heart.
40. Resolved to live a life of complete openness and honesty before God and others. No secret sins or
hidden ways but to confess often and openly to God. (all sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows,
fears, hopes, desires)
• These can only be done by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
( “BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING 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.”
)
• An unknown author wrote this about the apostle Paul in True Discipleship by William McDonald:)
- He is a man without the care of making friends
- Without the hope or desire of worldly good
- Without the fear of worldly loss
- Without the care of life,
- Without the fear of death
- He is a man of no rank, country or condition
- A man of one thought - the gospel of Christ
- A man of one purpose - the glory of God
- A fool and content to be reckoned a fool for Christ
- He must speak or he must die, and though he should die, he will speak.
- He has no rest but hastens over land and sea, over rocks and trackless desert.
- He cries aloud and spares not and will not be hindered. In the poisons he lifts up his voice
and
in the tempests of the ocean he is not silent.
- Before awful councils and enthroned Kings, he witnesses on behalf of the truth.
- Nothing can quench his voice but death and even before the knife has severed his head from
his body, he speaks, he prays, he testifies, he confesses, he beseeches, he wars, and blesses
you cruel people.
CT Studd:) “Some want to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I want to run a
rescue shop within a yard of Hell”
An article written by an atheist:) If I firmly believed as millions say they do, that the knowledge
and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean everything
to me. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and
feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep. I
should labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem
one soul gained for heaven worth a life suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand or
seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to
look upon Eternity alone and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or
everlastingly miserable. I would sow forth to the world and preach to it in season and out of season
and my text would be “what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
