I’m working through the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and his 49th resolution is actually in reference to his 48th resolution. In resolution 48 (which I covered in my last post) he says that he doesn’t want to have any regrets regarding his commitment to Jesus when he comes to die. In this, his 49th resolution, he is just giving us a little emphasis.

Resolved, That this never shall be, if I can help it.

You see, Edwards started at the end of his life and worked backwards. He knew, like all of us, that time on this earth is fleeting. None of us know how long we have left. His relationship with Christ was the most important thing in his life and he wanted to make sure he lived in a way that reflected that.

There are probably a lot of things that we worry and stress about now that won’t matter that much in the end. A man by the name of C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

That really hits the nail on the head. Jesus calls us to love God with our whole heart and soul and to love others as ourselves. We therefore know that anything done within the context of those two commands will last beyond the grave.

What are you focusing on this year that will outlast your life? How are you going to make sure that you get to the end knowing that you fulfilled your purpose for living?