One of the biggest issues for any Christ follower is staying disciplined. At least it is for me. Though we subconsciously understand and value spiritual disciplines, we struggle. Often times the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and fasting suffer neglect in the life of unresolved believers. But why do we struggle so much to be disciplined? After all, doesn’t the word “disciple” imply dedication to something or someone through discipline?

In ancient times, the word disciple meant a person was a “pupil” or “learner.” Furthermore, the word “disciple” can mean “a person who is an active follower of someone or a philosophy” (see, Wiktionary). Notice the that noun “follower” is predicated by the noun “active.” It implies that a disciple is resolved to do something with his knowledge or philosophy.

Perhaps one of the most crucial passages in the Bible on the issue is found in Luke 9:23: “Then he [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Jesus calls all who are willing to follow him, become his disciple, and do it daily! However, in order for us to truly fulfill our call as disciples we need to be intentional, or as Jonathan Edwards puts it: resolved!

In his Resolutions, Edwards begins by declaring his uttermost need for God’s grace. He states, “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.” A disciple of Jesus daily acknowledges his dependence on Christ. Furthermore, he knew he was “unable to do anything without God’s help.” Christ alone is sufficient!

We need to recognize our insufficiency, plead before Christ, and embrace his sufficiency. In turn, we will understand he is sufficient enough to overcome our insufficiencies. The work is twofold. Christ supplies strength, grace, and mercy where we falter. Meanwhile, we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow him. Edwards understood this, and was resolved to do his best to fulfill his part.

As merely a teenager, Jonathan Edwards, in his desire to follow Christ with all his heart, wrote down on paper his thoughts and resolutions. He came up with 70 resolutions. I would like to offer you 15 of his resolutions…

12 Resolutions from Jonathan Edwards

1. Resolved to bring God glory no matter what! (1 Corinthians 10:31)

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 myriad’s 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 and how great soever.

2. Resolved to live out the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)

Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. 

3. Resolved to live for eternity, not for earthly things (Colossians 3:1–2)

Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of

4. Resolved not to sin (Romans 6:12–14)

Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year … Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

5. Resolved to take care of my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16–17)

Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking

6. Resolved not to be vindictive and vengeful (Romans 12:19–21)

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

7. Resolved not to gossip, tear others down, or exalt oneself (Ephesians 4:29)

Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

8. Resolved to love others (1 Corinthians 13:4–8)

Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. 

9. Resolved to display the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)

Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peace_able, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so.

10. Resolved to examine my heart and priorities (Psalm 19:14)

Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. 

11. Resolved to fervently study the Word of God (Ezra 7:10)

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

12. Resolved to confess my sins before God on a regular basis (1 John 1:9)

Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance

Having a hard time in your walk with the Lord?? Well … Get the issue resolved!

Written by Daniel Messina