We have been looking at striving for personal holiness. From Jonathan Edwards' resolutions we find some guidance to achieve this type of holy walk. We have learned that we are to do all for the glory of God and put away all sin. This may involve a fight against inner corruption. One segment of American Christianity has a gnostic base; by this I refer to those that believe that their spirit is good because it has been renewed but their flesh is corrupt. The thinking goes that they can do whatever in the flesh that they want because God understands that it is just their flesh. This type of thinking is dangerous and un-Biblical.
Edwards understood this and the following resolution explains the importance of fighting: "Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be. (Resolution 56)." This means that we are to fight when our corruption seeks to sin. We are to fight the way an athlete might struggle in a wrestling match. Edwards exhorts to fight even if you fail. Never give up; never back down; and never forget that you are to be striving for holiness, i.e. being separated to God in every aspect of your life.
Today, remember to fight against anything that would tempt you to sin. Walk in love and resist the devil. Watch and pray to avoid temptation. This is a battle that you can win with God's help. Seek Him today for His grace to make this victory a way of life for you.
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