Growing up I didn’t know much about John Wesley, being baptist we didn’t talk much about him. I didn’t hear much about him, his theology, his writings, or his spiritual disciplines. However, over the years I have learned more and more about John Wesley and have found that he was extremely dedicated to the things of God. I want to share a couple things about John Wesley that I have learned over the years, and who knows, maybe like me you’ll find some similarities in Wesley’s beliefs as well. Now, I’m not talking about a 6th grade biography report, you can Google search all of that on John Wesley, but I want to share some insights on his spiritual journey. While looking at these few beliefs I believe we will find some similarities for us all as followers of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley’s theological beliefs stem from a clear understanding of the Bible itself and the one true God that scriptures declare. Believing that the Bible contains all things perfect to give eternal life, Wesley believed God was revealing Himself through His own Word. He believed God is making a declaration to all mankind of His redemptive purpose and plan. Wesley believed God who is eternally united as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit continues to offer salvation to all who will put their faith in Him. This is made evident in Wesley’s description of God’s means of grace for all of mankind, as described by Peter in 2nd Peter 2:9 that says, “The Lord is not slow in doing what He promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but He wants all people to change their hearts and lives.” (NCV)
DO YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE TELLS THE STORY OF ETERNAL LIFE?
So did John Wesley.
Wesley’s belief of God’s grace being offered to all people throughout all time, and the foundational truth that Christ came into the world to seek and to save all the world differs from some of his counterparts. However, they do have some similarities and one of them is the important role of God’s Law in salvation. Wesley’s theme on the Law can be summarized by two intertwined categories of loving God with all your heart and loving others as yourself. This is a relational viewpoint given by Jesus Himself as He walked on this Earth. Jesus said this in Matthew 22:37-39, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (NCV)
Wesley expressed the importance of the Law, its origin, nature, property and usage. Many view the Law as being outdated, but Wesley used it to express the continued work of the Holy Spirit inside of every believer molding and shaping who they are as followers of Jesus Christ. Wesley understood the importance of repentance, faith, and holy living and put major emphasis on these in his excerpts. He expressed our response to God’s prevenient grace was faith and repentance. Through the Law and the Holy Spirit our sinful nature has been revealed, and through God’s grace, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit salvation has been extended to all of mankind.
DO YOU BELIEVE GOD’S LAW AND GOD’S GRACE BRINGS HOLY LIVING?
So did John Wesley.
Wesley had a practical and purposeful view of Church life, even though it seems that he may have fit more into an evangelistic gifting. He emphasized the body of Christ functioning like the body of Christ while in corporate settings, with structure, and a variety of systems. His focus points of emphasis are still very common in the local church today. These include communion, baptism, worship, community involvement, and discipleship. Wesley believed the church is Holy, because it is built on the Holy One Jesus Christ. He believed it should be filled with Holy people who have believed on Jesus Christ. He believed these people would properly handle the sacraments as laid out by Jesus Himself, lead, serve and live out the commands of Christ in public places while pointing others to that same saving power found in Christ alone.
DO YOU BELIEVE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST SHOULD LOOK A LOT LIKE JESUS CHRIST?
So did John Wesley.
John Wesley’s personal experience of salvation obviously played a key role in his understanding of salvation, which I believe is true for all of us. From his first breath of life to his last, he clearly saw God’s grace pursuing his heart, and he believed if it was pursuing him, it was pursuing everyone. This theological and fundamental truth shaped his salvation, his sanctification and ultimately his glorification as he entered the presence of his Savior. From his sermon titled, The Scripture Way of Salvation, Wesley highlights the most important thing for us to obtain in this life, is salvation in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He expresses there’s only one way we receive God’s grace and that’s by faith alone. He says, “The end is, in one word, salvation; the means to attain it, faith.” Over and over again, we see his greatest desire is to have eternal life, and he wants others to receive this gift as well. Grace is God’s job, faith is our job. This faith in Jesus Christ is not just a saving faith but a faith that propels us into a life of holiness.
DO YOU BELIEVE SALVATION IS BY GOD’S GRACE AND OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST?
So did John Wesley.
There are many other theological viewpoints Wesley expressed in his lifetime which include but are not limited to, good works, sin in the believer’s life, gifts of the Holy Spirit, the return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, as well as Heaven and Hell. However, there’s no debate on what Wesley was most passionate about and that was his hatred for sin itself and a pursuit for the things of God. Which he beautifully and passionately proclaims to all proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his sermon titled, “A Plain Account Of Christian Perfection.” He says, “Therefore, all our Preachers should make a point of preaching perfection to believers constantly, strongly, and explicitly; and all believers should mind this one thing, and continually agonize for it.” As Wesley believed, so do I that we will never be the same when we come to Jesus Christ, we will either leave and live like the rich young ruler, or we will live and love like Zacchaeus who invited Jesus into all areas of his life and was changed eternally.
I believe the beauty of Wesley’s theological insights can be seen in the practical christian life, spiritual growth, as well as corporate and individual discipleship. This is one of my favorite parts of Wesley’s theological viewpoints. Not only did Wesley encourage education, and intellectual thinking over theology, but he wanted to be able to teach, preach, and write so that others could put into practice those same theological beliefs. He wanted us not just to experience God’s grace once in our life but realize it was, is, and will forever be sufficient for our every need.
DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST JUST AS CLOSE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN?
So did John Wesley.
Maybe just maybe we shouldn’t get all wrapped up in the I’m a Baptist, I’m a Methodist, I’m a Nazarene… Maybe we shouldn’t fall in the traps of being Calvinist, or Armenian. Maybe we should just want everyone to know that we are followers of Jesus Christ. That’s what I want to be known for. When people meet me, when they hear me preach, when they read my articles, I pray they find a whole lot of Jesus Christ and not Jim Copenhaver. What about you?
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