WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017
A Word from John WesleyOn Monday, June 25, 1744, our first conference began, six clergymen and all our preachers being present. The next morning we seriously considered the doctrine of sanctification, or perfection. The questions asked concerning it, and the substance of the answers given were as follows:
Q. What is it to be sanctified?
A. To be renewed in the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.
Q. What is implied in being a perfect Christian?
A. The loving God with all our heart, and mind, and soul (Deut. 6:5).
Q. Does this imply that all inward sin is taken away?
A. Undoubtedly: or how can we be said to be saved from all our uncleanness? (Ezek. 36:29) [John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶16.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley1. O that the Comforter would come!
Nor visit as a transient guest,
But fix in me his constant home,
And take possession of my breast;
And fix in me his loved abode,
The temple of indwelling God!
2. Come, Holy Ghost, my heart inspire!
Attest that I am born again!
Come, and baptize me now with fire,
Nor let thy former gifts be vain.
I cannot rest in sins forgiven;
Where is the earnest of my heaven? (Collection-1781, #365:3 & 4)
Questions for Reflection:
- In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist above, he provides the essential insights given to the early Methodist preachers and leaders. What can you affirm in this passage? What do you question? What do you need to understand more clearly before you are ready to decide?
- The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to be one with Christ and fully alive in him. Do you share Charles Wesley’s desire, “Come, and baptize me now with fire”?
- What is the meaning for us today when Charles Wesley guides us to sing the stanzas above? What is the promise?
- Reflect on the meaning of this season in the Christian year—the mystery of the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and soon to be made present in us because of Pentecost. What do the final two lines of the hymn above mean to you? “I cannot rest in sins forgiven; / Where is the earnest of my heaven?” [Note: “earnest” is the common word used in that day to describe the down payment of a contract, similar to what we mean today when a home buyer pays “earnest money” to secure the contract for a new house or property.
Prayer:
Living and gracious God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus you have brought us out to a spacious place where we are called to live as those redeemed. Empower us by your Spirit to keep your commandments, that we may show forth your love with gentle word and reverent deed to all your people. 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.
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