"Christian Unity in the Wesleyan Way" The United Methodist Church in Nashville Tennessee United for Wednesday, 24 January 2018

"Christian Unity in the Wesleyan Way" The United Methodist Church in Nashville Tennessee United for Wednesday, 24 January 2018
A Word from John Wesley:
If we take this [salvation] in its utmost extent it will include all that is wrought in the soul by what is frequently termed ‘natural conscience’, but more properly, ‘preventing grace’; all the ‘drawings’ of ‘the Father’, the desires after God, which, if we yield to them, increase more and more; all that ‘light’ wherewith the Son of God ‘enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world’, showing every man ‘to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God’; all the convictions which his Spirit from time to time works in every child of man. Although it is true the generality of men stifle them as soon as possible, and after a while forget, or at least deny, that ever they had them at all. (John Wesley Sermon 43: “The Scripture Way of Salvation,” § I.2.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. To him that in thy name believes
Eternal life with thee is given;
Into himself he all receives—
Pardon, and holiness, and heaven.
2. The things unknown to feeble sense,
Unseen by reason’s glimmering ray,
With strong commanding evidence
Their heavenly origin display.
3. Faith lends its realizing light,
The clouds disperse, the shadows fly;
Th’Invisible appears in sight,
And God is seen by mortal eye. (Collection-1781, #92: 4, 5, 6.)
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s sermon above, he makes it clear that biblical salvation is a extensive process. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. What is the meaning of Charles Wesley’s hymn for us today?
3. Charles Wesley believe that Christian faith results in pardon and holiness and heaven—here and now. Do you agree? Is this your experience?

Prayer:
God of the prophets, you call us from evil to serve you. Fulfill in us your commonwealth of justice and joy, that the light of your presence may be revealed to all nations to the glory of Jesus’ name. Amen.
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*The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2018: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2018 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.

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