I credit many people as being positive personal influences in my life. Some are long-time influences, while others are short-lived. Likewise, there were many events and happenstance that I pinpoint as personal influences of both me and my entire generation.
Take a moment to think about positive personal influences that have impacted you.
Now, think about some negative ones.
I’m going out on a limb here, and guessing the negative personal influences were easier to think up. They may not have been bigger, more profound, or even all that relevant. Yet, they stay more emotionally vivid than do the positive ones.
I suspect Jonathan Edwards made a similar observation as he developed Resolution 44.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 44
Edwards’ Resolution #44 (in my modernized language) Only God’s word and Christian faith will influence my actions, and all my actions will be according to what the Gospel declares, demands, and implies.
The Correct Source of Personal Influences
In the morning hours of January 12, 1723, Edwards made a renewal of his commitment to God. In his diary, he further states that he is fully God’s and not his own. There is also a firm acknowledgement of God as Edwards’ Teacher, Sanctifier, and Only Comforter.
I think it is important to note that Edwards is not designating God as “A” teacher, “A” sanctifier, or “A” Comforter. He is pointing to God as THE Teacher, THE Sanctifier, and THE Comforter. In short, he commits himself to a life in which all the teachings he receives, are teachings direct from God. And that the only means by which Edwards is sanctified is through God. Finally, the source of comfort in his life, is a provision that’s offered only by God.
And no one or nothing else.
Throughout life, there are many personal influences. How can we be mindful of them and learn to filter the proper from the undesirable?
The Wrong Sources of Personal Influence
Following that morning re-commitment to the Lord, Edwards made resolutions 42 and 43. Next, he committed to being 100 percent influenced by religion and made resolution 44, which we are considering now.
To give this resolution more context, let’s reference the following verse from Galatians.
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! – Galatians 5:7-9 NLT
As Christians, we begin our races with a profession of faith and religion (not necessarily a specific denomination). The race metaphor used in this passage is akin to 1 Corinthians 9:24, in which we are to pursue and persist Christian living.
The churches in Galatia (like anywhere) were mightily influenced by false teachings of false apostles. Those influences hindered them. They detracted God’s people from the one true Gospel. And it provoked them to keep their one true Teacher, Sanctifier and Comforter at a distance.
In the current U.S. and social media woven culture, a bunker mentality and fake news is so prevalent, we are easily swayed by opinion and untruth. We are led astray, So we, of course, would be wise to remember this passage and Edwards 44th resolution.
Let us adopt it more fully into our own lives.
Persist in Your Race
Along with this resolution, Edwards pondered if we should ever allow ourselves any pleasures or sorrows outside of religion. He concluded the answer is definitively yes. For, otherwise, we would be foregoing acceptance of God’s blessings like friendship, adversity, growth, laughter, taste of food, etc.
Then he made resolution 45.
The next morning, he made a commitment to continually grow and increase in grace. We too should consider making similar renewals each and every day of our lives.