Jonathan Edwards Finally Convicted—and Converted

Jonathan Edwards, a precocious young man from East Windsor, Connecticut, was already working on a master’s degree at Yale University when just 17. He was later to become best known as the preacher of the first Great Awakening in the young colonies: “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire,” he declared in his most famous message, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

But before the young man could become the preaching wonder of his day, Edwards knew he had to become a Christian. He studied, he prayed, but there was still doubt. During his time at Yale, a bout of pleurisy—inflammation of the lungs—triggered an intense search for salvation. He later recalled, “It pleased God, to seize me with a pleurisy; in which he brought me nigh to the grave, and shook me over the pit of hell.”

Jonathan recovered, but was not yet thoroughly converted. It would only be when Edwards read the verse in 1 Timothy 1:17, that God was indeed the “King eternal,” that the light began to dawn. About 18 months later, as a student-preacher visiting western New York State, Edwards received the confirmation he sought: “I felt a burning desire to be in everything a complete Christian; and conformed to the blessed image of Christ; and that I might live, in all things, according to the pure, sweet and blessed rules of the gospel.”

Edwards went on to apprentice as a pastor, then to take charge of a congregation on his own, and to preach sermons which spread throughout the nation during that revival in colonial America. He had 11 children, who, along with their 1,400 descendants, had an amazing impact on the United States: one U.S. Vice President, one law school and one medical school dean, three U.S. Senators, three governors, three mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 military officers, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, 100 clergymen, and 285 college graduates.

Jonathan Edwards lived for only 55 years, but he packed those years full of spirituality and accomplishment. And it all started with a deep self-examination and a quest for God.

Reflect: Have you, or someone you know, ever been so convicted of sin that you searched for God and His answers? Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

Key Bible Texts

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 KJV)