The following are highlights from Steven J Lawson’s book on Jonathan Edwards. The topic of self-examination is considered via several of Edwards’ resolutions.
D. Martyn Lloyd Jones’ quote opens the chapter: “No man is more relevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards. None is more needed.”
The following are excerpts from the ninth chapter, that readers might get a taste of the book along with some very critical information about living the Christian life.
These excerpts lack the explanations that accompany them in the book; so they appear disjointed, but are valuable, considering the topics they present.
[All square brackets, orange text, emboldening and underscoring are mine.]
Resolved, #37, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
Third, he would investigate where he had “denied” himself in daily cross-bearing (Luke 9:23). Growth in personal holiness demanded surveillance in each of these areas. Edwards also tried to look ahead and anticipate what sins he might be prone to in various situations. He wrote: “Wednesday, Jan. 9, at night…. I think it would be advantageous every morning to consider my business and temptations; and what sins I shall be exposed to that day: and to make a resolution how to improve the day, and to avoid those sins.”
Edwards was willing to be extremely specific in his self-scrutiny. He wrote in his diary: “Tuesday, Nov. 10. To mark all that I say in conversation, merely to beget in others, a good opinion of myself, and examine it.”
This self-examination was to be comprehensive: Edwards wanted to identify ways to improve “in any respect.” Could he have prayed more effectively? Could he have studied Scripture more carefully? Could he have used his time more strategically? Could he have confessed his sin more thoroughly? These likely were the kinds of questions Edwards asked himself as he pursued excellence in his Christian life.
Edwards also used various chapters of Scripture to measure his performance. He wrote: “Friday morning, Dec. 27. At the end of every month, to examine my behavior, strictly, by some chapter in the New Testament, more especially made up of rules of life.
Edwards resolved to make self-examination a priority when he faced unpleasant and trying times. He understood that God had given him duties that he must perform, and he wanted to be faithful always. Therefore, he set himself to let his anticipation of difficulties serve as a signal to examine his performance of his duties: 57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9 and July 13, 1723. This resolution seems to indicate that Edwards realized he could become disoriented in the midst of trials, losing sight of his Christian responsibilities.
In resolution 60, Edwards set up another signal for self-examination. He wrote: 60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723. The warning sign here was Edwards’ “feelings.” Whenever his emotions were out of kilter “in the least,” he purposed to take time to understand the reason for it. He saw that a lack of inner peace should serve as an alarm that something was amiss within him. It might be that some sin, yet undiagnosed, was causing a lack of contentment. It might be that he was failing to trust God, thereby forfeiting his inner joy. These emotion-altering conditions demanded his attention so that he could make any necessary corrections.
Lawson, Steven J.. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards (A Long Line of Godly Men Series Book 2) (pp. 149-150). Ligonier Ministries. Kindle Edition.
I only highlighted three of the nine chapters of Lawson’s book. They are posted as: Jonathan Edwards: A Glimpse into His Spiritual Journey, Parts 1, 2, 3.
SUMMARY OF ABOVE POINTS:
- Edwards used a journal as a tool in analyzing himself; setting goals / resolutions
- He kept track of the times he chose to deny himself during the course of a day (that choice to follow self or Christ presents itself many times a day)
- As he examined his sin in his journal, he used the self-knowledge he acquired to formulate goals for future changes regarding behaviors and behavioral strategies
- To aid in doing the above, he was very specific about how he sinned
- He examined his behavior in his relationships as it was unfolding and afterwards to discover such things as how he promoted himself during conversations, to enhance his own self-image: knowing such information helped him target behaviors and strategize behavioral changes to mortify the sin of pride
- WHEN HE NOTICED THAT HIS FEELINGS CHANGED, he considered it a red warning flag, indicating that he stop and examine himself to understand the reason his feelings changed
- He spent much time reading scripture and praying, these are two of God’s appointed means of grace (the others are: hearing of preaching; taking the Lord’s supper; and fellowshipping with Christians around God’ word). Christian grace is NOT received in any other ways than the above, see Acts 2:42
Below is a link to a downloadable self-exam pdf. The forms in the pdf will enable one to clarify relationship problems; poor thinking and behaviors in oneself; defense mechanisms that prevent responsible behaviors and so on. The kinds of skills exhibited by Edwards in the above journal entries.
DOWNLOADABLE SELF-EXAM -2- docx
STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS:
To see other posts on Jonathan Edwards, see Categories: Jonathan Edwards