Grace for 2007

by Victoria Gaines
Published January 2, 2007

“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." ~ Jonathan Edwards

As you cross the threshold of 2007, do you find yourself thinking about New Year's resolutions? Me, too. Will you make any resolutions? Better yet, will you keep them? CAN you? Probably not. If the plan involves any kind of bootstrap, determination, or massive amounts of willpower, more power to you---you're gonna need it. But some morning, maybe a few weeks from now, that first glimmer of sunlight will hit your sleepy eyes as you roll over in bed and moan, "Why can't I change?" Sweet friend, I'll save you some grief. Welcome to reality: There's absolutely no power in the flesh. It just takes some of us longer to realize it than others. Still, friendly gurus and life coaches dish out the pep talk:

* Write down your plans and goals!
* Break your goals down into managable chunks!
* Give yourself rewards for progress!
* Get an accountibility partner!
* Join a support group!
* Put post-it notes on your mirror to remind you of your goals!
* Have an alternative plan for temptations!
* Try our software programs to help you stay the course!

These are good and helpful things, but in and of themselves, they don't work for long. If I could change myself, I wouldn't need Jesus.

Real change comes from the inside out - a heart change. And that change involves turning myself over to the Holy Spirit, day by day, to allow His quiet grace-workings. I can focus on me, or I can focus on Him--but I can't do both. After years of trying to fix myself, I felt utterly hopeless. That sting of disappointment was good, though. Coming to the end of my rope helped open my eyes to grace. So go ahead, make your plans. Set your goals. Commit to something worthy and good. I don't want to squash your hope; I want to GIVE you hope. Nothing but growing closer to Christ will bring about the kind of lasting change you need. There's so much about me that needs changing this year, but I can't do it. I need the power of the Holy Spirit operative in my life.

May His Spirit remind me of the grace that first brought me to Him.

May His Spirit plant a hunger and thirst in me that only He can quench.

May the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

May His Holy Spirit cause me to turn from whatever is trying to keep me from Him.

May His Spirit cause me to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

May His Spirit rise up in me with boldness to proclain His truth.

May His Spirit deliver me from self-pity, fear, procrastination, and depression as I trust in Him.

May His Spirit remind me that my flesh is not who I am, but that my identity is now in Christ who loved me and gave His life for me.

May His Spirit work a 'cruci-formity' in my life, that I would be conformed to His image by way of the Cross...as I surrender my 'self' to Him and draw life from Him instead.

I remind myself that my part is believe and obey; His part is to grow and change.

Having said that, it's interesting to note the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) whose heart was on fire for the Lord in the 18th century. Said to be one of America's greatest preachers and theologians, Edwards was the key figure in the First Great Awakening (1730's-40's). He read over his resolutions every week. Here’s a sampling of Jonathan Edwards' resolutions, a list of things to remember before God to His glory. Perhaps you have your own?

1.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 myriads 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 soever, and how great soever.

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

3. 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.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

What heart changes will you bring before the Lord this year to work and will according to His good pleasure? God is faithful! Remember to fall fully on the grace that first led you to Him.

Have a peace-filled, joy-filled New Year in Christ.

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