Wesley Corpus

The Character of a Methodist

AuthorJohn Wesley
Typetreatise
Year1742
Passage IDjw-character-013
Words374
Sourcehttps://www.fumcfairfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/...
Means of Grace
In all his employments of every kind, he not only aims at this, (which is implied in having a single eye,) but actually attains it. His business and refreshments, as well as his prayers, all serve this great end. Whether he sit in his house or walk by the way, whether he lie down or rise up, he is promoting, in all he speaks or does, the one business of his life; whether he put on his apparel, or labour, or eat and drink, or divert himself from too wasting labour, it all tends to advance the glory of God, by peace and good-will among men. His one invariable rule is this, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." In the church, as in any other institution, there are many things we do simply because they need to be done. Wesley is suggesting that Methodists pay attention to what they do and do nothing mindlessly. In all that we do we have an eye to the glory of God. Question: What does it mean to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus?” How is this different from merely working in a church or ministry setting? 15. Nor do the customs of the world at all hinder his "running the race that is set before him." He knows that vice does not lose its nature, though it becomes ever so fashionable: and remembers, that "every man is to give an account of himself to God." He cannot, therefore, "follow" even "a multitude to do evil." He cannot "fare sumptuously every day," or "make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof." He cannot "lay up treasures upon earth," any more than he can take fire into his bosom. He cannot "adorn himself," on any pretense, "with gold or costly apparel." He cannot join in or countenance any diversion which has the least tendency to vice of any kind. He cannot "speak evil" of his neighbour, any more than he can lie either for God or man. He cannot utter an unkind word of any one; for love keeps the door of his lips.