Welcome to First Christian Forest Grove! Since 1882 First Christian Church has been a lighthouse of God's love on the corner of 19th and Cedar in Forest Grove.The building has changed over the years and the congregation has grown in size, but the timeless values of Faith, Hope, and Love found in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ are still alive and unchanging here.

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        We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and Lord and Savior of the World

                             

                  Wednesday Bible study September 23 

Forever Resolutions

By Rev. Spencer King

First Christian Church

Forest Grove, Oregon

Jonathan Edwards was among the best-known early American revivalists. Edwards was one of the principal driving forces for the first Great Awakening in early America. He was a powerful preacher and an influential reformed theologian. Among the things Edwards was best known for was his famous “70 Resolutions.” 

A great many people make very temporary New Year's resolutions that are, by now, long forgotten. Most resolutions are, at best, largely superficial anyway and often have to do with weight loss or unhealthy habits like excessive coffee drinking or nail biting and so on but ignore the deeper habits of virtue and healthy character. Edwards’ resolutions were quite different, for example, he; 

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

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

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

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.

31. 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.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity (truth).

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

58. 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 (kindness or tolerance toward others). May 27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 2, and July 13.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign (kind and tolerant) aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

These resolutions can reliably guide us all throughout the remainder of this year and for the rest of our lives. We need not wait for 2021 to resolve to live a better and more upright life. The goal of life is not happiness or wealth or fame or power or to gain some satisfying romantic relationship. Our resolution should be to draw closer and closer to God through faith in Christ Jesus as God transforms us into the image and likeness of Christ. “I resolve, with God helping me, to seek to become more and more Christlike in my character.” That is a worthy and lasting resolution.

Spencer