Joseph Risner's profile
JOSEPH RISNER

Resolved

Being rightly inspired by Edwards, and content long enough that his counsel should remain in concept only, it is high time to commit myself to some particulars that God has impressed upon my heart. I don’t make resolutions casually and I have no problem rejecting a notion if it seems to me to be only a “good idea” or not worthy of a vow. Vows are expensive, and those ratified in written form are all the more binding.

Nonetheless, it is important to resolve some matters that seem significant to me, as they become apparent. I’m sure this list will grow over time, but I will endeavor to never let it be so bloated as to be unhelpful.

Like Edwards, to presume that I could do anything in my own strength towards keeping these, apart from the very present and available grace of God would be to embrace folly. I trust that, insomuch as they align with His sovereign will, He will supply the grace necessary to keep these resolutions. Two passages are helpful to me to remind me of His activity:

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” — 2 Thessalonians 1:11

“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” — Hebrews 13:20-21

Resolutions

  1. Resolved: Should I find my heart to have the slightest resistance to God, even for a moment; if therein I find a “No” and not “Yes,” to repent immediately upon the realization and seek to regain the tenderness towards Christ that I lost. — 10/24/25.

  2. Resolved: To never boast of time that was squandered. — 10/24/25.

  3. Resolved: To believe, for as many days as I have left, that it is in my best interest to commit all to Christ; that it shall be all gain to me, and no loss. — 10/26/25.

  4. Resolved: To never be moved from the cross of Christ; to cling to it; to esteem it highly and not have the slightest contempt for that gift which effected my redemption. Leviticus 17:11; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 10:29. — 11/9/25.

  5. Resolved: To attend to difficult tasks early, spurning procrastination, laziness, and crippling fear. — 5/29/26.