The GOSPEL for OC

(This is the continuation of a series on, well, Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions of course)

Resolution #2 is not a stand-alone resolution by any means. If you have not read Resolution#1, this won’t bear much weight, so you might want to give the first resolution a lil’ gander here, for context.

Resolution #2:

Resolved, To be continually endeavouring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

This resolution does not lack fancy Puritan-esque vocabulary. However, its point is simple. Essentially, what Jonathan Edwards is exhorting here in the wake of his first resolution is this:

Just get it done.

The statement itself is simple. It’s implications, however, are monumental.

Let’s break down this resolution into two phrases.

A Classic Evangelical Work Ethic: “…To be continually endeavoring…”

To continually endeavor is to never give up. It is a commitment to get things done by the grace of Christ. Simple admonition, right? Well, yes… but then why are we so bad at this? Probably one of the most embarrassing marks of my generation of Evangelical Christians (I’m 26 years old) is our lazy work ethic. We were ushered into an American culture of consumerism with endless options. Subliminal questions that are peppered throughout mass advertising are How do you feel? and What do you need? or What do you want right now? but you’ll seldom find the admonitions Get things done. or Grow in character.

What’s worse is our over-spiritualization of decision-making. We wait for God’s prophetic vision, his lucid dream, his open door, his special sign, or his “peace in my heart about it” before we would take the initiative in making a sound and fruitful decision.

The result: we are a sorry bunch of inconsistent, unmotivated, unstable, timid, indecisive, and over-spiritualized nut jobs who may attend the small Christian meetings but really get nothing done at all, to the glory of Christ; meanwhile, the secularists are the hard-working, decision-making innovators that are shaping our families and our culture. This is a very sad thing.

Kevin DeYoung says it a lot better than I ever could in his book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will (released last year). Though the book is on the will of God, DeYoung also has a lot to say on being proactive in our endeavors for Christ. I would highly recommended it to anyone who is old enough to read.

As Christians, we continually endeavor to do things that bring God glory. We don’t sit on his glory. We fall before it, and it moves us into action.

“…to find out some new contrivance and invention…”

Essentially, be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. In the same line of thought, don’t limit your God to a single methodology of glorifying him. To different people and different cultures, God has used a myriad of methods to speak of his will and glory. He speaks to Balaam through a donkey (Numbers 22:28-35). He uses a star to proclaim his Son’s birth on Earth (Matthew 2:1-2). Jesus uses a current event to state the Gospel’s urgency (Luke 13:1-4). God even commands his people to use a symbolic reminder to be faithful to him (Numbers 15:37-41). So basically: do what you gotta do; just make sure you do it. Recognize that life’s seasons and settings change; therefore, never cease to promote his Gospel in word, in discipline, in speech, in work, in decisions, in thankfulness, in relationships, in jobs, in responsibilities… in whatever you can—the list goes on. Just get it done.

My Take Away

So as I consider the second Resolution of Jonathan Edwards, I ask myself: Am I endeavoring to promote his glory? …my satisfaction in Christ alone? …his greatest good toward all men? Am I really moving forward in the life he’s given me? What graces has he given me in the time, resources and relationships I have? What ‘inventions’ am I using to further his will in my life? What about you?