“Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards whether it be lawful or not: unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.” (Resolution 39)
Here is an amazing balance and insight into the human heart. Edwards was a student of his own heart as well as the heart of others. We all know that there are people that are scrupulous in their outward behavior and study to make sure that all the things that they do are lawful. Many things are judged to be unlawful and so they refuse to do them. However, the balance is set out here or at least pointed to by Edwards. There are many things that are unlawful to do but there are also many things that are unlawful not to do. The legalistic mind is satisfied with not doing so many things without realizing that there is also the great sin of omission. It is not just the things that we do that are sin, but it is also the things that we don’t do.
The amazing part of this is the balance brought in by this resolution of Edwards. Not only must a person ask if an act is lawful or not, the person must also bring into the picture the question if it is an action that should be done. When we ask ourselves if an action is lawful, we try to think of all the negative ramifications that our action will have if it is done. Edwards would tell us to ask of all the negative ramifications that will happen if our action is not done. Even more, we should ask what positive things would not happen if we don’t to the action. Asking ourselves questions like this brings many things into focus. We should now see the greatness of our sin in judging all that we do by what we shouldn’t do rather than by what we should do. We should now see that our sins are far more and far greater than we can imagine. Our sins that we are blinded to most of the time include the things that we should not but have neglected.
Look at Matthew 23:23 in the light of Edwards’ resolution: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” If we are not careful, we will be just like the Pharisees in this way. We will be devoted to do the things that are lawful and neglect other things. We will follow certain rules and yet be guilty of many sins of omission. In keeping the things that are lawful in some ways we might omit the weightier or greater provisions. It is vital that we learn to think like this or we will continue to commit many and great sins of omission.
The balance Edwards brings to our thinking and hopefully our lives is powerful and refreshing. While many of us are blind to much sin that we do and perhaps even more sin that we omit, if we can learn to think along the lines of this resolution we will be able to repent of much sin and love God with more of our minds and lives.
God Loves... Himself 
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