The Resolutions of Adoniram Judson

The Student Global Impact national conference begins tomorrow, and I am presenting a workshop titled, “Give of Your Best to the Master: The Life and Lessons of Adoniram Judson, Missionary to Burma.” I would highly recommend the reading of one of the many biographies of this hero of missions history, particularly To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson (Judson Press).

Since this is the first of the year, many people are thinking of resolutions or renewed commitments they could make (and hopefully strive to keep) in 2014.

You may be familiar with the ongoing resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. If not, there is an excellent article by Steven Nichols over on the Ligonier Ministries site about Edwards’s resolutions.

Adoniram Judson made some commitments of his own that are simple, and yet needed for us as ministers today. They were called his “Rules for Holy Living.” I would encourage you to consider them when making your own resolutions for 2014 today.

1. Be diligent in secret prayer, every morning and evening.
2. Never spend a moment in mere idleness.
3. Restrain natural appetites within the bounds of temperance and purity. “Keep thyself pure.”
4. Suppress every emotion of anger and ill will.
5. Undertake nothing from motives of ambition, or love of fame.
6. Never do that which, at the moment, appears to be displeasing to God.
7. Seek opportunities of making some sacrifice for the good of others, especially of believers, provided the sacrifice is not inconsistent with some duty.
8. Endeavor to rejoice in every loss and suffering incurred for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s, remembering that though, like death, they are not to be willfully incurred, yet, like death, they are great gain.

Judson ends his entry, “God grant me grace to keep the above rules, and ever live to His glory, for Jesus Christ’s sake.”

HT: Stephen Ross http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/bjudson9.html.