May we strive with all excellency to live up to Jonathan Edwards resolutions this coming New Year. May the Grace of God be given to us all.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humble 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. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week:
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.
2. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.
3. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
4. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.
5. Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
6. Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.
7. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
8. 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.
9. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.
10. Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.
11. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
12. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
13. Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.
14. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.
From the Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1
Matthew 1: 18, 21, 23- This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit…. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"- which means, "God with us."
Mary let out one more deep, long moan, followed by one last push, and there He was, a beautiful, slippery, wrinkly, screaming baby boy. Mary cried, Joseph cried and the baby cried. Joseph gently wrapping up the baby and handing him to Mary, took a deep, reverent breath and said in a hushed- almost whisper…. His name is Jesus
Mary and Joseph couldn’t take their eyes off of Him. He was beautiful. He was so tiny, so helpless, and so dependent on them. It was amazing. Up until that moment, they didn’t know what to expect. What would He be like? Would He arrive to the sounds of trumpets and be born in a majestic manner- the way that you would imagine “Royalty” arriving. Yet, it certainly didn’t happen that way. No silk, no ivory, no hype, no party, no hoopla, just a baby born in a stable. But this was not an ordinary baby, and this was not an ordinary place of birth. In fact, a more lowly place of birth could not exist. The realization of it all was coming alive to them both. They had been given the awesome responsibility to raise and protect this precious child that was given to them by God so that he can grow and mature to fulfill his ultimate destiny. To be the Savior of the World.
Immanuel: God with us. In an instant God entered the world as a baby. He who was larger than the universe, became an embryo. The all powerful made himself breakable. He who had been Spirit, became pierceable. He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness, sleeping in a womb. The creator of all life, being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys and a spleen. He came, not as an unapproachable conqueror, but as a newborn baby, whose first cries were heard by a teenage girl and a young carpenter. He wore the costliest of clothes- a human body. He was completely human and completely divine. As the city came to life that morning, they were simply unaware that as they slept, divinity had entered the world. The innkeeper had no idea that in the business of that evening that he had sent God out into the cold. As the heavens watched in splendor, Mary changed God's diaper.
To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do: it’s uncomfortable: it’s hard to understand! We would rather not think of Him in human terms. By keeping Him divine, we can keep Him at a distant. But He’s not distant. He is here with us. John 1:14- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. He walked among people- He didn’t look different than others. He was touchable, approachable, reachable. And what’s more, He was ordinary. He felt everything that we feel. He felt weak, He grew weary, He got cold, He got tired, He got hurt. He sneezed, He coughed, He blew His nose- He was a man, but He was also God. He was skin layered on Spirit. He was all-powerful with hair, toenails, knuckles, molars, and kneecaps. When God chose to reveal Himself, He did so through a human body. He was born a baby, He became a teen, He grew into a man, He performed many miracles and touched many lives. He revealed the love of the Father to the world.
Since it is the Christmas season, we often only think of Jesus as a baby. We might even remember that He grew and performed many miracles, but we usually stop there. But Jesus life continued from there. Remember God had a plan. Most of the world did not recognize Him for who He truly was. He faced trials, was mocked, envied and misunderstood. There were those who revered Him and those who hated Him. He was oppressed and afflicted, He was beaten and crushed. He laid down His life as a ransom for many. He was buried and it looked as if God’s plan was defeated, but 3 days later, He was raised from the dead. Through the cross, and the resurrection, God has provided a way that we can be in a eternal relationship with Him. It His gift to the world.
Why would God choose to allow His Son to be born in a stable? Where else would the Lamb of God be born?
Matthew 1: 18, 21, 23- This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit…. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"- which means, "God with us."
Mary let out one more deep, long moan, followed by one last push, and there He was, a beautiful, slippery, wrinkly, screaming baby boy. Mary cried, Joseph cried and the baby cried. Joseph gently wrapping up the baby and handing him to Mary, took a deep, reverent breath and said in a hushed- almost whisper…. His name is Jesus
Mary and Joseph couldn’t take their eyes off of Him. He was beautiful. He was so tiny, so helpless, and so dependent on them. It was amazing. Up until that moment, they didn’t know what to expect. What would He be like? Would He arrive to the sounds of trumpets and be born in a majestic manner- the way that you would imagine “Royalty” arriving. Yet, it certainly didn’t happen that way. No silk, no ivory, no hype, no party, no hoopla, just a baby born in a stable. But this was not an ordinary baby, and this was not an ordinary place of birth. In fact, a more lowly place of birth could not exist. The realization of it all was coming alive to them both. They had been given the awesome responsibility to raise and protect this precious child that was given to them by God so that he can grow and mature to fulfill his ultimate destiny. To be the Savior of the World.
Immanuel: God with us. In an instant God entered the world as a baby. He who was larger than the universe, became an embryo. The all powerful made himself breakable. He who had been Spirit, became pierceable. He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness, sleeping in a womb. The creator of all life, being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys and a spleen. He came, not as an unapproachable conqueror, but as a newborn baby, whose first cries were heard by a teenage girl and a young carpenter. He wore the costliest of clothes- a human body. He was completely human and completely divine. As the city came to life that morning, they were simply unaware that as they slept, divinity had entered the world. The innkeeper had no idea that in the business of that evening that he had sent God out into the cold. As the heavens watched in splendor, Mary changed God's diaper.
To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do: it’s uncomfortable: it’s hard to understand! We would rather not think of Him in human terms. By keeping Him divine, we can keep Him at a distant. But He’s not distant. He is here with us. John 1:14- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. He walked among people- He didn’t look different than others. He was touchable, approachable, reachable. And what’s more, He was ordinary. He felt everything that we feel. He felt weak, He grew weary, He got cold, He got tired, He got hurt. He sneezed, He coughed, He blew His nose- He was a man, but He was also God. He was skin layered on Spirit. He was all-powerful with hair, toenails, knuckles, molars, and kneecaps. When God chose to reveal Himself, He did so through a human body. He was born a baby, He became a teen, He grew into a man, He performed many miracles and touched many lives. He revealed the love of the Father to the world.
Since it is the Christmas season, we often only think of Jesus as a baby. We might even remember that He grew and performed many miracles, but we usually stop there. But Jesus life continued from there. Remember God had a plan. Most of the world did not recognize Him for who He truly was. He faced trials, was mocked, envied and misunderstood. There were those who revered Him and those who hated Him. He was oppressed and afflicted, He was beaten and crushed. He laid down His life as a ransom for many. He was buried and it looked as if God’s plan was defeated, but 3 days later, He was raised from the dead. Through the cross, and the resurrection, God has provided a way that we can be in a eternal relationship with Him. It His gift to the world.
Why would God choose to allow His Son to be born in a stable? Where else would the Lamb of God be born?
I Corinthians 3:1-4- I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ....
The Bible categorizes every man in one of these three categories: natural, spiritual and carnal. Everyone falls into one of these three categories. Let's look at these 3 positions of man.
The natural man: This describes the way that every person comes into the world. We are all born of the flesh and we remain in this category unless the "new birth" takes place within our lives. While we are in this position, we are ruled and governed by our flesh and all of its desires. We are the servant of sin and according to Eph. 2:1-3: "we walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air". The natural man doesn't understand the love of God nor does he see the need for redemption. Paul said that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to him. The apostle said that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness." (I Corinthians 1:18). The things of God are foreign to the natural man. The Word of God is an enigma to him. He doesn't understand the things of the Spirit, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. This type of person needs the work of the Holy Spirit in their life to open their understanding and their hearts so that the redemptive work of cross can be received.
The spiritual man: The spiritual man is one whose spirit has come alive through faith in Jesus Christ. His mind and life are no longer governed by the flesh and the desires of the flesh, but they are now governed by the Spirit of God. It is amazing to me that what was once a mystery and unattainable in ones self can by the Spirit of God become understandable and receivable. The good news, the gospel of God has taken root within our lives and we become aware of our great need of Him. By surrendering our lives to the control of God, we leave the natural realm of man behind and we are transformed or "birth" into the spiritual realm. Again Eph. tells us that we are quickened or "made alive" and removed from our trespasses and sins.
The carnal man: We see Paul mention this type of man in our verse for today. The "carnal Christian" is the man who has been awakened by the Spirit of God to his need of Jesus Christ and has received Jesus into his life as his Saviour - but he has never submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus. Thus, he is one who believes in Jesus Christ as his Saviour but is still ruled by his flesh. Paul said, I have fed you with milk and not with meat, for you have not been able to receive it before, neither are you able now." The carnal Christian has never grown beyond the crib or beyond the bottle. He is still in the infancy state in regards to his walk with the Lord. There is no depth of spiritual comprehension. This type of person may have become a Christian years ago but they are still in the spiritual crib, gumming baby food and soiling their spiritual diapers. God wants his children to develop and to become mature in our walk with Him. He is, by the work of the Spirit wanting us to reflect the image of His dear Son.
There are those who would argue that if you're carnal then you can't be a Christian, and if you're a Christian then you can't be carnal." But Paul refers to them as both "carnal" and as "babes in Christ." They are in Christ - yet tragically they are still babes. Paul again instructs us that we "henceforth be no more as babes, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into that complete man in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 4:13-15). I pray that God helps each of us to get beyond the infancy stage and that we "grow up" into the men and women of God that He has destined us to become.
Ephesians 5: 18: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit
The verse found here in Ephesians is a unique verse. There are five verbs found in the New Testament that have to do with the Holy Spirit. Out of those five verbs, four of them are singular type verbs and are a once only activity that happens in your life. The fifth verb is a repetitive verb and it is the verb that is found here in Ephesians 5:18.
Here are the four singular verbs that we find:
#1- John 3:6- That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Being born of the Spirit into the family of God is a singular event, just as being born in the natural is a singular event. When you truly repent of your sins and you ask Jesus to come into your heart, when you have fully and totally surrendered your life to Him, then you are adopted (or born again) into the family of God by the adoptive work of the Holy Spirit.
#2- 1 corth 12:13- For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
When that singular, adoptive work of the Spirit has taken place in your life, you are immersed through spiritual baptism into the Body of Christ. Once you have become a son or a daughter by accepting the redemptive work of the cross and making it your own, you have died to your own body through spiritual baptism and you have come alive to His body. There is only one body of Christ made up of those who have the Spirit of adoption given to them by the Holy Spirit.
#3- 1st Corth: 3:16- Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
Another singular work of the Spirit is the fact that when you have been baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells you. He moves inside of you. We become the dwelling place of the Spirit. The person of the Holy Spirit is living within you, guiding you, directing your life, empowering you, bringing you to full maturity in Christ. I know that it is hard to believe that the third person of the God Head, the Trinity, has taken up residence within your life, but it is one of the profound truths of Gods Word.
#4- Ephesians 1:13-14- And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
The fourth singular activity of the Holy Spirit is that you are sealed by Him unto redemption and that the person of the Holy Spirit is your permanent inheritance. He is your earnest or pledge of full redemption. He is the guarantee of your resurrection and complete deliverance from sin, and the eternal salvation acquired for us by Christ. The Holy Spirit is your down payment of Heaven and the full and final restoration that will be yours.
#5- The 5th verb used in the N.T. regarding the Holy Spirit is a repetitive verb and we are commanded to do this over and over. It is not a singular, one time event.
Eph. 5:18 says to "be filled with the Spirit". It actually means to "continue being", or to be "repetitive with that filling" of the Holy Spirit. The infilling of the Spirit should occur daily in your walk with Him. Many believe that the Holy Spirit moves inside of you at the moment of salvation, but sadly, many do not believe in the baptism or overflowing dimension of the Spirit. This further dimension of the Holy Spirit moves you from simply being a container of the Holy Spirit to that of being a river, or channel by which the Holy Spirit is flowing from. John 7: 38 tells us that "from our innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' You can call it the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Being baptized with the Holy Spirit, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, being filled with the Holy Spirit, the over flowing of the Holy Spirit, BEING EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, and you would be correct in all of them. These are all different ways of saying the same thing. It is that continual, repetitive act of being filled with the Spirit.
May we respond to His Word, claim His promise, and fulfill His command that was given to us in this verse.
