The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 1 November 2017 "Love is the End of the Commandment"

The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 1 November 2017 "Love is the End of the Commandment"

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Q. How is “love the end of the commandment” (1 Timothy 1:5)?
A. It is the end of every commandment of God. It is the point aimed at by the whole and every part of the Christian institution. The foundation is faith, purifying the heart; the end, love, preserving a good conscience. (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶25.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. Try us, O God, and search the ground
Of every sinful heart!
Whate’er of sin in us is found,
O bid it all depart!
2. When to the right or left we stray,
Leave us not comfortless,
But guide our feet into the way
Of everlasting peace.
3. Help us to help each other,
Lord, Each other’s cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel his brother’s care.
4. Help us to build each other up,
Our little stock improve;
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love. (Collection-1781, #489: 1-4)
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist he states boldly, “Love is the end of every commandment of God.” What does he mean by this? What does it mean to you? How will you live this truth today?
2. The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision of Christian perfection—perfection in love—not human perfection. The same is true for Charles Wesley. If the United Methodist Church focused on this—what difference would it make in your life? In your family? In your church? In the world?
3. How would the insights Charles Wesley’s hymn help us?

Prayer: Almighty God, your Son has shown us how to love one another. May our love for you overflow into joyous service and be a healing witness to our neighbors through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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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