Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in my self, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
At first pass this particular resolution reminds me of two biblical figures, Paul and Daniel...
Sometimes it is painful to live in this world, yes physically, but presently I am referring to the emotional pain of being a part of the broken and selfish human race. So often we spend our time pointing at the person across the table or being the one pointed at, blamed and maligned for the "wrong" that is in the world. But is that really how we are called to display Christ, God and His glory? When the heat is on, how can we respond with His grace, mercy, truth, and love? How can we break the chain of blame and hate?
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,
abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He
harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins
deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."
~Psalm 103:8-10 (emphasis mine)
"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the
other also. if someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt
from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes
what belongs to you, do not demand it back." ~Luke 6:27-30
Needless to say, we are held to a very high standard of long-suffering as followers of Christ. I am not talking about turning a blind eye to events that demand justice, I am only saying we do not take justice into our own hands. We trust in the Lord, we speak truth saturated in the love with which Christ died for us, by the power that raised Him from the dead!
But to get back to Edwards' thought...he gives us a new way to process through difficult interactions with broken people. To look not at their sin against us but to bear their sin on our shoulders in light of God's righteousness. Let that sink in...isn't this what Christ did? Bear our sins in His body unto death.
Edwards is saying don't look at how bad "that guy" is, instead look at yourself as Paul did, CHIEF of sinners, no one is worse than you! Christ had to DIE an excruciating death to give you a life you do not deserve in the least! If I could only remember that truth when I sit in meetings with insufferably arrogant people or in traffic bombarded by drivers who have no concern that there is anyone else on the road with them. In the end, for all humans it is all about "ME." But as believers in Christ it is our aim to make it ALL about HIM! Remembering when we are wronged we have wronged God much more so, we are never better than the worst of whom we encounter.
If you have never read's Daniel's prayer of confession for Israel, I think this I the perfect time in history to do so. Our culture and world is falling apart at the seams, everyone demands to be heard and acknowledged, everyone knows they are "right." But what if we, as the Body of Christ, sat back and with a sorrowful heart and tear filled (or overflowing) eyes, begged our God to forgive our sins, the sins we confess of our city, state, nation, world? Oh how He would move for His children.
I was once asked to say a prayer for my city and the heartbreaking abomination of human trafficking occurring every day...completely humbled I tried to form words to express my sorrow to God to share with those present. I had many, but in the end God reminded me of this sweet prayer of confession and these are the words I prayed and confessed of my home town. I hope they encourage you to bear the sins of others and confess them to our Just and Perfectly Good Father! Daniel wasn't part of the sins that brought Israel to captivity in Babylon, but He confessed them as his own in hopes that God would receive the repentance he laid down, forgive the people of Israel, and restore them to their promised home. He recognized he was no better than his predecessors.
"I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
'Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love
with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have
sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned
away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your
servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our
ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
'Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with
shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both
near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our
unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our
ancestors are covered with shame, Lord,
because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is
merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not
obeyed the Lord our God or kept
the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All
Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
'Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of
Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned
against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our
rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has
ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as
it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we
have not sought the favor of the Lord
our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The
Lord did not hesitate to bring the
disaster on us, for the Lord our
God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
'Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a
mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have
sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your
righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city,
your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made
Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
'Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions
of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate
sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see
the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you
because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord,
listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay,
because your city and your people bear your Name.'"
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