Wesley Corpus

Why is character important in ministry? What other character qualities would you include? 11. Agreeable to this his one desire, is the one design of his life, namely, "not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent him." His one intention at all times and in all things is, not to please himself, but Him whom his soul loveth. He has a single eye. And because "his eye is single, his whole body is full of light." Indeed, where the loving eye of the soul is continually fixed upon God, there can be no darkness at all, "but the whole is light; as when the bright shining of a candle doth enlighten the house." God then reigns alone. All that is in the soul is holiness to the Lord. There is not a motion in his heart, but is according to his will. Every thought that arises points to Him, and is in obedience to the law of Christ. At one point in our communion liturgy, we talk about God freeing us for “joyful obedience.” Convinced of God's love for us and returning that love to him, Methodists trust God enough to take his agenda - God's ideas of what we ought to be doing - as our own. Question: How does your agenda compare with Gods? Do you want to take up God's agenda? If you're going to take up God's agenda (in trusting, joyful obedience), what is your next step in that direction? What can you do to lead others in taking up God's agenda? 12. And the tree is known by its fruits. For as he loves God, so he keeps his commandments; not only some, or most of them, but all, from the least to the greatest. He is not content to "keep the whole law, and offend in one point;" but has, in all points, "a conscience void of offense towards God and towards man." Whatever God has forbidden, he avoids; whatever God hath enjoined, he doeth; and that whether it be little or great, hard or easy, joyous or grievous to the flesh. He "runs the way of God's commandments," now he hath set his heart at liberty.