Altogether Christians?
John Wesley (17 June 1703 - 2 March 1792) was e clergyman and theologian who was an early leader in the Methodist movement. Known for his hard hitting Gospel messages, he remains one of the greatest revivalists in Britain's history.
Ever since the Christian Religion was in the world, there have been many in every age and nation who were almost persuaded to be Christians,
One thing implied in being the almost Christian, is having a form of godliness; of that godliness which is prescribed in the Gospel of Christ; the having the outside of a real Christian. Accordingly, the almost Christian does nothing which the gospel forbids.
He taketh not the name of God in vain, he blesseth and curseth not; he sweareth not at all, but his communication is yea, yea, nay,nay. He profanes not the day of the Lord, nor suffers it to be profaned, even by the stranger that is within his gates.
He not only avoids all adultery, fornication and uncleanness, but every word or look that either directly or indirectly tends thereto: nay, and all idle words, abstaining both from detraction, backbiting, talebearing, evilspeaking, and from 'all foolish talking and jesting': briefly from all conversation that is not 'good to the use of edifying', and that consequently grieves the Holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.
He abstains from 'wine wherein is excess' from revellings and gluttony. He avoids all strife and contention continually endeavoring to live peaceably with all men. And if he suffer wrong he avengeth not himself, neither returns evil for evil. He is no brawler no scoffer, either at the fruits or infirmities of his neighbor. He does not willingly wrong, hurt, or grieve any man but in all things acts and speaks by that plain rule ' Whatsoever thou wouldest not he should do unto thee, that do not thou to another'
And in doing good he does not confine himself to cheap and easy offices of kindness, but labours and suffers for the profit of many, that by all means he may help some. In spite of toil and pain 'whatsoever his hand findeth to do, he doeth it with might; whether it be for his friends or for his enemies; for the evil or for the good. For being 'not slothful' in this or in any 'business' as he 'hath opportunity' he doeth 'good' all manner of good, to all men; and to their souls as well as their bodies. He reproves the wicked, instructs the ignorant, confirms the wavering, quickens the good, and comforts the afflicted.
He labours to awaken those that sleep, to lead those whom God hath already awakened to the 'Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness that they may wash therein and be clean: and to stir up those who are saved through faith to adorn the gospel of Christ in all things.
If it be required. 'What more than this is implied in the being Altogether a Christian? I answer, first, the love of God. For thus saith his word. 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength'
Such a love is this, as engross-es the whole heart, as rakes up all the affections, as fills the entire capacity of the soul and employs the utmost extent of all its faculties. He that thus loves the Lord his God, his spirit continually 'rejoices in God his Saviour'
His delight is in the LOrd, his Lord and his all, to whom in everything he gives thanks. All his desire is unto God, and to the remembrance of his name. His heart is ever crying out 'Whom have I in heaven but thee' And there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee. Indeed what can be desired beside God. Not the world, nor the things of the world, for he is crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to him'
He is crucified to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eye, and the pride of life' Yea he is dead to pride of every kind; for 'love is not puffed up' but he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him' is less than nothing in his own eyes.
May we all experience what it is to be, not almost only; but altogether Christians; being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus; having peace with God through Jesus Christ: rejoicing in hope of the glory of God: having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given to us.
John Wesley
John Wesley (17 June 1703 - 2 March 1792) was e clergyman and theologian who was an early leader in the Methodist movement. Known for his hard hitting Gospel messages, he remains one of the greatest revivalists in Britain's history.
Ever since the Christian Religion was in the world, there have been many in every age and nation who were almost persuaded to be Christians,
One thing implied in being the almost Christian, is having a form of godliness; of that godliness which is prescribed in the Gospel of Christ; the having the outside of a real Christian. Accordingly, the almost Christian does nothing which the gospel forbids.
He taketh not the name of God in vain, he blesseth and curseth not; he sweareth not at all, but his communication is yea, yea, nay,nay. He profanes not the day of the Lord, nor suffers it to be profaned, even by the stranger that is within his gates.
He not only avoids all adultery, fornication and uncleanness, but every word or look that either directly or indirectly tends thereto: nay, and all idle words, abstaining both from detraction, backbiting, talebearing, evilspeaking, and from 'all foolish talking and jesting': briefly from all conversation that is not 'good to the use of edifying', and that consequently grieves the Holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.
He abstains from 'wine wherein is excess' from revellings and gluttony. He avoids all strife and contention continually endeavoring to live peaceably with all men. And if he suffer wrong he avengeth not himself, neither returns evil for evil. He is no brawler no scoffer, either at the fruits or infirmities of his neighbor. He does not willingly wrong, hurt, or grieve any man but in all things acts and speaks by that plain rule ' Whatsoever thou wouldest not he should do unto thee, that do not thou to another'
And in doing good he does not confine himself to cheap and easy offices of kindness, but labours and suffers for the profit of many, that by all means he may help some. In spite of toil and pain 'whatsoever his hand findeth to do, he doeth it with might; whether it be for his friends or for his enemies; for the evil or for the good. For being 'not slothful' in this or in any 'business' as he 'hath opportunity' he doeth 'good' all manner of good, to all men; and to their souls as well as their bodies. He reproves the wicked, instructs the ignorant, confirms the wavering, quickens the good, and comforts the afflicted.
He labours to awaken those that sleep, to lead those whom God hath already awakened to the 'Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness that they may wash therein and be clean: and to stir up those who are saved through faith to adorn the gospel of Christ in all things.
If it be required. 'What more than this is implied in the being Altogether a Christian? I answer, first, the love of God. For thus saith his word. 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength'
Such a love is this, as engross-es the whole heart, as rakes up all the affections, as fills the entire capacity of the soul and employs the utmost extent of all its faculties. He that thus loves the Lord his God, his spirit continually 'rejoices in God his Saviour'
His delight is in the LOrd, his Lord and his all, to whom in everything he gives thanks. All his desire is unto God, and to the remembrance of his name. His heart is ever crying out 'Whom have I in heaven but thee' And there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee. Indeed what can be desired beside God. Not the world, nor the things of the world, for he is crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to him'
He is crucified to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eye, and the pride of life' Yea he is dead to pride of every kind; for 'love is not puffed up' but he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him' is less than nothing in his own eyes.
May we all experience what it is to be, not almost only; but altogether Christians; being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus; having peace with God through Jesus Christ: rejoicing in hope of the glory of God: having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given to us.
John Wesley
