John Wesley made the following statement about 8 years before his death "while contemplating his critical situation" during a serious illness that he thought would end his life:
I have been reflecting on my past life; I have been wandering up and down between fifty and sixty years, endeavouring in my poor way to do a little good to my fellow-creatures; and now it is probable, that there are but a few steps between me and death; and what have I done to trust to for salvation? I can see nothing which I have done or suffered that will bear looking at. I have no other plea than this, 'I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.' This was his language to the last.
When John Wesley was born, there was not a major global denomination or even a small group of people called the Methodists. The Church of England (Anglican) was the established dominant church of the day and nobody had significantly tried to reform the church or build a separate denomination to challenge it. Mr. Wesley dates his conversion in 1738 and the first Methodist Society was formed in 1739 and was comprised of John, his brother Charles, and a small congregation of disciples. They set themselves apart from the other Anglicans by their disciplined "methods" of following Christ and their devoted focus to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. The Society grew exponentially throughout John's life and at the time of his death the church was in many different countries and the global membership had surpassed 1 Million (600,000 in the USA).
John Wesley had assurance of his salvation and had accomplished plenty to be proud of. Yet he sincerely said, "I can see nothing which I have done or suffered that will bear looking at."
Who honestly says this kind of thing?
This humble perspective on life and personal accomplishment reminds me of chapter 3 of Paul's letter to the Philippians.
In verse 4 Paul says, "If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more" before he lists all of the personal accomplishments that he could brag about. But he goes on to say, "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ..."
These two humble perspectives both challenge and bother me. I say "bother" because I know that this is the right and true perspective that a Christ follower ought to have and I know that I don't most of the time. My personal accomplishments and fruit produced through ministry don't begin to compare to those of Apostle Paul and John Wesley, yet I find that I am guilty of claiming them for myself at times and taking pride in them.
I am humbled as I'm reminded that the redeeming work of Christ on the cross is the true work that brings salvation and brings us back into relationship with our Creator, therefore enabling fruitful work through his followers.
Stay Humble,
Daniel
Source: "The Life of the Rev. John Wesley." In The Works of John Wesley, Vol 5., 9-47. Third ed. Reprinted from 1872 edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Original Post (Explaining the title)
Hello! My name is Daniel David. I am a follower of Jesus, the husband of my beautiful bride, a layman in our church in Irving, TX, and a born and raised Texan. I am a purpose driven person that is always seeking truth to grow in my understanding of God, my relationship with Him, the Church, and the world in which I live. I plan to use this blog as a platform to share and discuss the knowledge that I gain through my studies. I invite you to join me on this journey.
I was inspired to name this blog "The best of all is God is with us" through the discription of the final days of Reverend John Wesley in his biography found in the front of my copy of his sermons.
Here is an excerpt from the biography:
"Having given directions respecting his funeral, he again begged they would pray and praise. Several friends who were in the house being called up, they all kneeled down again, and he joined with them in great fervour of spirit; but in particular parts of the prayer, his whole soul seemed to be engaged in a manner which evidently showed how ardently he longed for the full accomplishment of their united desires. And when one of the Preachers prayed, that if God were about to take away their father to his eternal rest, He would be pleased to continue and increase his blessing upon the doctrine and discipline which He had long made his servant the means of propagating and establishing in the world; Mr. Wesley responded, "Amen," with such a fervour and strenth of voice as indicated how intense was his desire that the petition should be answered. In the course of the same day, he attempted to speak to one who came into his room; but, perceiving that he did not make himself understood, he paused a little, and then, with all the remaining strength he had, cried out, The best of all is, God is with us; and soon after lifting up his dying arm in token of victory, and raising his feeble voice with a holy triumph not to be described, he again repeated the heart-reviving words, The best of all is, God is with us. During the night following, he frequently attempted to repeat the psalm, part of which he had before sung; but such was his weakness he could only utter, "I'll praise - I'll praise."
"On Wednesday morning, March 2nd, it was evident that the closing scene drew near; and Mr. Bradford having prayed with him, he was heard to articulate, "Farewell!" This was the last word he uttered; and while several of his friends were kneeling around his bed, he passed without a groan or struggle into the joyful presence of his Lord" (pp 43-44).
Isn't that powerful! I hope that the dying words of John Wesley inspire you as they have inspired me. I will continue to explore the teaching of John Wesley through his sermons and will articulate my thoughts and encourage discussion through this blog.
I'll praise!
Daniel
Source: "The Life of the Rev. John Wesley." In The Works of John Wesley, Vol 5., 9-47. Third ed. Reprinted from 1872 edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
I was inspired to name this blog "The best of all is God is with us" through the discription of the final days of Reverend John Wesley in his biography found in the front of my copy of his sermons.
Here is an excerpt from the biography:
"Having given directions respecting his funeral, he again begged they would pray and praise. Several friends who were in the house being called up, they all kneeled down again, and he joined with them in great fervour of spirit; but in particular parts of the prayer, his whole soul seemed to be engaged in a manner which evidently showed how ardently he longed for the full accomplishment of their united desires. And when one of the Preachers prayed, that if God were about to take away their father to his eternal rest, He would be pleased to continue and increase his blessing upon the doctrine and discipline which He had long made his servant the means of propagating and establishing in the world; Mr. Wesley responded, "Amen," with such a fervour and strenth of voice as indicated how intense was his desire that the petition should be answered. In the course of the same day, he attempted to speak to one who came into his room; but, perceiving that he did not make himself understood, he paused a little, and then, with all the remaining strength he had, cried out, The best of all is, God is with us; and soon after lifting up his dying arm in token of victory, and raising his feeble voice with a holy triumph not to be described, he again repeated the heart-reviving words, The best of all is, God is with us. During the night following, he frequently attempted to repeat the psalm, part of which he had before sung; but such was his weakness he could only utter, "I'll praise - I'll praise."
"On Wednesday morning, March 2nd, it was evident that the closing scene drew near; and Mr. Bradford having prayed with him, he was heard to articulate, "Farewell!" This was the last word he uttered; and while several of his friends were kneeling around his bed, he passed without a groan or struggle into the joyful presence of his Lord" (pp 43-44).
Isn't that powerful! I hope that the dying words of John Wesley inspire you as they have inspired me. I will continue to explore the teaching of John Wesley through his sermons and will articulate my thoughts and encourage discussion through this blog.
I'll praise!
Daniel
Source: "The Life of the Rev. John Wesley." In The Works of John Wesley, Vol 5., 9-47. Third ed. Reprinted from 1872 edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
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