Jonathan Edwards last message

When I heard about this, I was intrigued for several reasons. First, Jonathan Edwards is well known, among pastors and theologians, for his part in the Great Awakening, the first spiritual revival in North America. And although living from 1703-1758 (died of complications following a small pox vaccination), he is still seen as a pivotal figure in bringing spiritual revival to colonial New England. Probably his most famous message is: "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God."

I was also intrigued because a missionary friend of mine mentioned that he was greatly encouraged by Jonathan Edwards final message at the church he pastored for 23 years (First Church of Northampton, Massachusetts). The reason my friend enjoyed it so much is because of the rare personal nature of the message, and the transparency that Edwards had with the conflict that had caused him to be removed as pastor there. My missionary friend, along with his associate, had been "pushed out" of their ministry as well, after faithfully serving there many years. It was heartbreaking for them, and this message, from a well known evangelist of the Great Awakening was a good reminder and encouragement for them. Jonathan Edwards talked about his belief of what will happen when we, as believers, stand before God, our judge. Here is one excerpt from that message:

"At that time ministers, and the people who have been under their care, shall meet together before Christ, that he may judge between them, as to any controversies which have subsisted between them in this world...sometimes such controversies never have any proper determination in this world. But at the day of judgment there will be a full, perfect, and everlasting decision of them. The infallible Judge, the infinite fountain of light, truth, and justice, will judge between the contending parties, and will declare what is the truth, who is in the right, and what is agreeable to his mind and will. And in order, hereto, the parties must stand together before him at the last day, which will be the great day of finishing and determining all controversies, rectifying all mistakes, and abolishing all unrighteous judgments, errors, and confusions, which have before subsisted in the world of mankind." (The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards; Hendrickson Publishers, 2005).

The basic idea, that encouraged my missionary friend, and that can be an encouragement to all who have felt wronged by others, is this: That Edwards believed that even though his church wrongly pushed him out, he would, one day, be justified in front of God, and all would be made right. That meant that he didn't need to take revenge, or become bitter, or try to make it all right now. He could leave it in the hands of God. That helped my friend keep things in perspective, even though the hurt was still real. May all of us who have been hurt by others, even within the church, remember to "commit themselves to the One who judges righteously" (I Peter 2:23).