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Did the "Giants of the Faith" make New Year's resolutions?


Is setting resolutions for 2013 wrong? Did the men/women of old participate in a similar activity? Well, to be honest, no they didn't. The reason is New Year's Day is originally based on a pagan holiday and therefore, Christians of old didn't celebrate such days.

Does that mean we shouldn't have a party or make resolutions? Ultimately, each Christian must act according to their conscience. That being established, America is not Rome (where New Year's Day originated) and there is no church/state government-regulated worship. Therefore, it is apples and oranges, as the saying goes.

Actually, I strongly agree with the sentiment of Burk Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine and co-pastor at St. Andrews Chapel), who states that Christians should be resolving to be resolved. In his post, he encourages Christians to be resolving sensibly, dependently, humbly and for the sake of Christ. To read the whole article, click on http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/resolved-grace-god/?mobile=off .

So even though the giants didn't write down specific resolutions, I challenge you to examine (in the quotes below) their resolving to be resolved. 




A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent. 

                                   John Calvin



Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth: help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart 

                                 Martin Luther



If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. 
                       John Owen


When I was young I was sure of everything. In a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me. 

                                    John Wesley



O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. 

                                     Augustine



The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer. 

                                    John Bunyan



A bushelful of resolutions is of small value; a single grain of practice, is worth the whole. 

                                  Charles Spurgeon 



The secret formula of the saints: When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines. 

                                  Samuel Rutherford



Lord, be pleased to shake my clay cottage before Thou throwest it down. Make it totter awhile before it doth tumble. Let me be summoned before I am surprised.
                                
                                  Thomas Fuller



Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by. 

                                 Jonathan Edwards

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