Spiritual Growth for Christian Women

Today, as we continue our series, “A Year of Resolve”, we jump into the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and see how they can serve as a blueprint for our lives. In this blog, we will explore three of Edwards’ resolutions that emphasize living for God’s glory, achieving spiritual clarity, and committing to consistent spiritual growth. These principles are not just historical ideas; they are practical applications for our daily lives as modern Christian women.

Resolution 4: Living for God’s Glory

Let’s start with Edwards’ fourth resolution: “Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.” This is a radical commitment that reaches into every aspect of our lives.

Edwards breaks this resolution down into three parts:

• Our Souls: This includes our internal life—our thoughts, emotions, and desires.
• Our Bodies: This encompasses our actions and words.
• Any Manner of Thing: This emphasizes a total commitment, leaving no room for exceptions.

This commitment to glorifying God is echoed in 1 Corinthians 10:31, where Paul reminds us, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Even the mundane tasks of life, like eating and drinking, can be opportunities to glorify God.

Practical Applications

So, what does glorifying God look like in our daily lives? Here are some examples:

• Reflecting on our thoughts while doing laundry.
• Responding to our children’s behavior with grace.
• Maintaining a positive attitude towards our spouse when they fall short of our expectations.
• Pursuing physical health as a way to honor God with our bodies.
• Choosing our words carefully to build others up instead of tearing them down.

However, the more challenging part of this resolution is the commitment to resist anything that doesn’t bring God glory. This requires us to be deeply rooted in Scripture to discern His will. Here are some ways we can intentionally resist distractions:

• Declining invitations to activities that hinder our witness.
• Speaking truth to friends who indulge in gossip.
• Setting boundaries on social media to protect our focus.
• Redirecting conversations that don’t honor God.

As we strive to glorify God, we must remember that it’s not about perfection but about being intentional. We will falter, but God’s grace is sufficient. Here are some reflection questions to consider:

• In what areas of your internal life do you need to be more intentional about glorifying God?
• Where are you compromising on your commitment to God’s glory?
• What can you actively resist this week that does not glorify God?

Resolution 18: Living with Spiritual Clarity

Next, we turn to Edwards’ 18th resolution: “Resolved, to live so at all times as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel and another world.” Here, “frames” refers to our state of mind or heart. Edwards wanted to make his moments of spiritual clarity the standard for his daily living.

Consider those precious early morning moments when the house is quiet, and you have time with God. In those moments, you may feel assured of God’s provision or understand the importance of focusing on your children’s spiritual growth over their academic success. Yet, as the day progresses, distractions and chaos can pull us away from that clarity.

Bringing Clarity to Chaos

Edwards encourages us to take that clarity and apply it throughout our day. Here are two practical examples:

• When faced with unexpected expenses, instead of worrying, recall God’s past provisions.
• If your child is being disobedient, remember the eternal impact of your words and respond with patience rather than frustration.

Living with that clarity means we need to consistently remind ourselves of God’s truth and His perfect will, even amid chaos. Let’s strive to carry those moments of clarity into our everyday decisions.

Resolution 30: Striving for Consistent Spiritual Growth

Finally, we arrive at Edwards’ 30th resolution: “Resolved, to strive every week to be brought higher in religion and to a higher exercise of grace than I was the week before.” This resolution challenges us to pursue spiritual growth actively.

Edwards’ resolution highlights four key components of spiritual growth:

• Regular Attention: We need to consistently evaluate our spiritual lives.
• Intentional Effort: Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it requires striving.
• Patience: We must recognize that progress takes time and is not about immediate perfection.
• Clear Direction: We need a higher understanding of Scripture and a deeper faith.

2 Peter 3:18 encourages us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This growth is a lifelong journey, not a sprint. It’s about making small, consistent improvements week by week.

Integrating the Resolutions

These three resolutions work beautifully together. Resolution 4 lays the foundation for a life focused on God’s glory. Resolution 18 reminds us to live with clarity, and Resolution 30 encourages us to strive for growth. As we commit to glorifying God, maintain clarity in our thoughts and actions, and strive for consistent growth, we will find ourselves living more intentionally as Christian women.

Remember, it’s about making small, intentional choices that lead to a more significant impact over time. We need to be gentle with ourselves, knowing that perfection is unattainable this side of Heaven. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:12-14, we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Committing to Spiritual Growth

As we wrap up this exploration of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions, let’s commit to living intentionally for God’s glory. Reflect on the resolutions we’ve discussed and consider how you can apply them in your life. Remember, this journey is about progress, not perfection. Share these insights with a friend who may also benefit from this encouragement.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to explore more of Edwards’ resolutions. Be sure to subscribe and join us on this journey of spiritual growth and intentional living. Until next time, may you pursue God’s glory in every ordinary moment.

Make sure to check out all our other posts in this series – Here’s a link to the first one – A Year of Resolve

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