Resolution 2: Open up the Bible

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things. (Aforementioned things being the desire to seek God's glory by being happy in Him)

Someone once said to me you can't sit still on a rollercoaster... you're either going up the climb, or your flying down the big dip! Sometimes I think our relationship with God is like that. We can't sit still. Like in any relationship, you're either making progress, enjoying each others company, spending time together and growing in your knowledge of one another, or your going backwards. 

Edwards recognised this, and so his desire was to do whatever possible to ensure he was promoting his relationship with God, and not allowing it to slide backwards. Our relationship with God is NOT dependant on what we can do... we don't bring anything to it - our standing before God is completely determined by Jesus and his blood which paid the price for all the sin that stood between us and God. Because of what Jesus has done, and only because of what he's done, can we have any kind of relationship. No "new invention or contrivance" will make us right with God.


However, there are things that will help us to know our Saviour more intimately. Prayer, for example... you can't grow in a relationship with someone you never communicate with. Talking with God is how we show him our dependence upon him... its the key to growth as a christian, and yet we spend so little time doing it!!


And what about getting to know him better? When Dave and I started going out, we asked questions of each other, observed each other in different settings - with friends, with family, watched how each other coped with stress, grief and joy. Its how you get to know each other. In the same way, if we want to know God, we need to spend time in his word. 


The Good Book Company are running a campaign at the moment called "Open up the Bible" They are providing free resources to help you do just that.


So why not, at the start of this year, resolve to spend time getting to know God by opening up your Bible. If you've never done it before, and you don't know where to start, why not check out The Good Book Company for some excellent free resources. You won't regret it!