Purposefully building character traits may be one of the underlying reasons for embarking on this grueling study of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions two years ago. As I enter into the home stretch of it, this may be the only time I have directly acknowledged that fact. It may be the first time I have truly been aware of it.
One thing I am observing is that Edwards spent tremendous time and effort questioning his character traits, and discerning if he was in accord with God’s will. We all would be wise to do the same by following that example.
So, as I read all the desirous character traits that Edwards pours I to Resolution 47, I am struck by the fact that all of them are pretty much encompassed within the Fruits of the Spirit and/or the less-often considered, Petrine Disciplines.
Let’s unpack those along with this resolution.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 47
Edwards’ Resolution #47 (as it was written)
Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, 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. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
Edwards’ Resolution #47 (in my modernized language)
Reject anything opposing the Fruits of the Spirit and/or Petrine Disciplines, while regularly questioning if I am living as such.
Hidden in 2 Peter is a set of character traits we are encouraged to cultivate and grow in our walks as disciples. This framework is as fitting today as when the Apostle first shared them.
What are the Fruits of the Spirit?
In the book of Galatians (5:22-23) we find description of the Fruits of the Spirit. They represent the Christ-like nature that is a natural outgrowth of living in step with him.
The Greek translation of the word “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing. In Galatians, Paul uses that embodiment of “fruit” to illustrate the product of the Holy Spirit living in all believers. As we grow and develop along our discipleship journeys, all these characteristics – not just one or a few, but all – manifest in our lives. It becomes our general nature, aligning us with the personal character of Christ
Those fruits, Paul says, are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
When we began the study of Edwards resolutions, I categorized each of the 70 individual resolutions according to these fruits. You read more about that here.
However, while studying and praying over them, I wonder if I chose a less applicable framework. Not to discredit the fruits that Paul describes, but there may be a different, more apt, means of categorizing Edwards resolutions.
What are the Petrine Disciplines?
Though I had read them a few times during the course of various Bible studies, I missed the specific Petrine Disciplines until a co-worker shared with me a book by Mark Buchanan. That book, Hidden In Plain Sight: The Secret of More, is a must read for anyone who’s refining life, on purpose. In it, Buchanan takes readers through a study of Peter. Specifically, he looks at 2 Peter 1:1-9.
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence… In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:3,5-7 NLT
The disciplines are not distinctly spelled out, but Peter makes them known. And, in a culture that’s conditioned to seek after “X Easy Steps” for everything, it’s easy to think the goal is to master each discipline. It’s also easy to selectively pick the most appeal to us as our starting point.
However, note that Peter tells us to start with faith. After faith, then, add Goodness, Knowledge, Self-Control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love.
You see, Peter is building this series of character traits to climax. Faith begins the list, just as it does in similar lists found in Rom. 5:1-5 and 1 Cor. 13. Likewise, they also end in the trait of love.
The more I’ve considered this passage, I’ve come to understand these Petrine Disciplines as of “Christian conditioning” resembling the natural progression of a life lived well, in the direction of the Son.
Why do these Character Traits Matter?
If there were any person of the Bible that knew of Christ’s discipline, it is Peter. I can relate well to him. No matter how much he tries and wants to do right, it seems like he is always falling short in his walk with Christ.
It doesn’t set us on stable footing to know a man who physically walked shoulder to shoulder with the son of God could not be a master student. If he could not, how might we?
Well, to answer that, let’s hear from the man himself. You see, Peter shares later that we should be diligent to go after these qualities of Christian conditioning. Even to the point of saying it is evidence of sure election. That is, showing the presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.
Finally, he tells the Christians in Asia Minor that he will remind us of these things all his earthly days. Why? Because he considers it his purpose and calling, “to stir you up by way of reminder.” (1:13). Peter’s words lead us to think that he believes himself to be near to death. However, a life first rooted in faith, cascading in holy love and persevering to the end will indeed bear fruit.
What I really believe he longs for is the same thing I believe many of us desire: a legacy that aims and aids the generations that follow. To be the shoulders of the giants whom the giants of tomorrow will stand upon to rise above this world.
He does so in the name of Christ Jesus. I pray that we might follow his lead.