A Brief Study of "Advice to Young Converts" by Jonathan Edwards: Part 1

 We will be starting a series of postings for the next couple of weeks inspired by the short book, "Advice to a Young Convert" by Jonathan Edwards. May God be glorified in it, and may his people, the church, grow and be edified by it, and most of all, may God's Holy Spirit convict men's hearts of their sin and grant them repentance and faith in His blessed Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This is a letter written during the Great Awakening by Jonathan Edwards to a young woman named Deborah Hathaway, and was later published as a small book called: "Advice to Young Converts".

"Dear Child,

As you desired me to send you in writing some directions on how to conduct yourself in your Christian course, I will now answer your request. The sweet remembrance on the great things I have lately seen at Suffield, and the dear affections for those persons I have conversed with there, give good evidences of a saving work of God upon their hearts and also incline me to do anything that lies in my power to contribute to the spiritual joy and prosperity of God's people there. And what I write to you, I would also say to other young women there who are your friends and companions and the children of God. Therefore, I desire you would communicate it to them as you have opportunity.

1. I would advise you to keep up as great a strife and earnestness in religion in all aspects of it, as you would do if you knew yourself to be in a state of nature and you were seeking conversion. We advise persons under convictions to be extremely earnest for the kingdom of heaven, but when they have attained conversion they ought no to be the less watchful, laborious, and earnest in the whole work of religion, but the more; for they are under infinitely greater obligations. For lack of this, many persons in a few months after their conversion have begun to lose the sweet and lively sense of spiritual things, and to grow cold and flat and dark. They have pierced themselves through with many sorrows, whereas if they had done as the Apostle did in Philippians 3:12-14, their path would have been as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day.

                      "Not that I have already all this, or have already been made perfect, but I will press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12-14)"

"Sanctification (Greek hagiasmos, Latin sanctificatio) The process or result of God's continuing work in Christian believers through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Protestant theology this occurs after justification and is growth in grace and holiness of life marked by good works." - "Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms" by Donald K. McKim, pg. 247.

Edwards isn't implying that our work or our zeal can in any way affect our salvation. What he is talking about is the growth and sanctification of a believer. You cannot lose your salvation, because you didn't earn it or effectuate it to begin with. "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:25-29). (For more info on this subject check out these links: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/carnal-christian/          http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/regeneration-permanent/)

"Salvation belongeth unto the LORD" - Psalm 3:8

Does this leave the regenerated, the saved, believer with no obligation? On the contrary, and this is Edwards argument, believers have the greatest obligation to pursue all godliness. "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."-1 Timothy 2:2b-6. 

We should be seeking the knowledge of God, because we are indebted to Him for our salvation forever. It is not a grudging sacrifice, but one willingly done out of our love for Him. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to the world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."-Romans 12:1-2. 

This is all that is "acceptable unto God". We must submit all of our lives under the authority of God's sovereign will. And there is one sure way to find God's will for your life, read His Word, the Bible. Prayer is our speaking to God, but the Bible is God speaking to us. 

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."-1 Peter 2:1-3

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."-Hebrews 5:12-14

If we desire to grow in Christ, we must not only pray, but seek Him in His Word. Do not have a one-sided conversation with God by praying only, and then complain that God doesn't answer your prayers. Read and study His Word. "All scripture is give by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."-2 Timothy 3:16-17.