Following Jesus 73

What is Discipleship? In addressing the subject, Jonathan Edwards once wrote:

I claim no right to myself—no right to this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me; neither do I have any right to this body or its members—no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears, or eyes.

 I have given myself clear away and not retained anything of my own. I have been to God this morning and told Him I have given myself wholly to Him. I have given every power, so that for the future I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressly promised Him, for by His grace I will not fail. I take Him as my whole portion and (intense happiness) felicity, looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His law is the constant rule of my obedience.

 I will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I will adhere to the faith of the Gospel, however hazardous and difficult the profession and practice of it may be.

 I receive the blessed Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and only Comforter, and cherish all admonitions to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me. This I have done.

 I pray God, for the sake of others, to look upon this as a self-dedication, and receive me as His own. Henceforth, I am not to act in any respect as my own. I shall act (am acting) as my own if I ever make use of any of my powers to do anything that is not to the glory of God, or (I am acting on my own) to fail to make the glorifying of Him my whole and entire business.

 If I murmur in the least at afflictions; if I am in any way uncharitable; if I revenge my own case; if I do anything purely to please myself, or omit anything because it is a great denial; if I trust to myself; if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me; or if I am in any way proud, I shall act (am acting) as my own and not God’s. I purpose to be absolutely His.

— Jonathan Edwards

Soli deo Gloria!

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