A Word from John Wesley:
Love “does not rejoice in iniquity;” it weeps at the sin or folly of its bitterest enemies. “But rejoices in the truth;” in the holiness and happiness of every child of man. “Love covers all things,” speaks evil of no one; “believes all things” that tend to the advantage of another’s character. It “hopes all things,” whatever may extenuate the faults which cannot be denied; and it “endures all things” which God can permit, or humans and devils inflict. This is the “law of Christ, the perfect law, the law of liberty.” (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶25.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. What shall we offer our good Lord,
Poor nothings! for his boundless grace?
Fain would we his great name record,
And worthily set forth his praise.
2. Great object of our growing love,
To whom our more than all we owe,
Open the fountain from above,
And let it our full souls o’erflow.
3. So shall our lives thy power proclaim,
Thy grace for every sinner free;
Till all mankind shall learn thy name,
Shall all stretch out their hands to thee!
4. Open a door which earth and hell
May strive to shut, but strive in vain;
Let thy word richly in us dwell,
And let our gracious fruit remain! (Collection-1781, #479:1-4)
Questions for Reflection:
- In the reading for today, John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist reflects his reading of 1 Corinthians 13. Do your agree with his reflection? What does it mean to you? How will you live this truth?
- The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision of the Christian life. If the United Methodist Church focused on this—what difference would it make in your life? In your family? In your church?
- How would the insights Charles Wesley’s hymn help you today? What is the “mind of Christ” and do you desire it?
God of the covenant, even when we fall into sin, your Spirit invites us to remember that you chose us to be your servant people. Awaken us to the power of gifts you pour into us for the good of creation, and grant that we may be trustworthy in all things, producing abundantly as we work to build your realm. Amen.
The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2017: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2017 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The prayer is reprinted with permission from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002, Consultation on Common Texts.----
Copyright © 2017 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment