A Methodist is one who loves God and loves others as themselves.
Wesley directed the early Methodist societies to practice the means of grace through works of piety and works of mercy. These cultivate and grow our us in our ability o love God and others.
The works of piety include worship, bible study (both in groups and personally), The Lord's Supper, prayer, fasting and Christian conversation.
The works of mercy include doing no harm and doing good.
Doing no harm means just what it says, but we don't perhaps think of how we participate in systems that are doing harm. As consumers we drive the wheels of industry. When we buy shirts made in some far away country at the discount store, we may be support sweat shops that treat their employees like slaves. When we buy chocolate from the major suppliers like Hershey and Mars, we are supporting child slavery in the Ivory Coast on cocoa plantations. Our carbon footprint and what we throw away in the trash has an impact on the environment we all must share. When we respond to sexualized advertising, we send a message to marketers that the sexual objectification of women and men is what the American consumer wants.
Doing good is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, welcoming the stranger, etc. Doing good is to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed in our society. Doing good is working for justice for those who suffer under oppressive systems, individuals or ideas.
You can think of holiness in heart (loving God) in two categories, public and private. Works of piety in the public sphere are worship, the Lord's Supper, small group studies, prayer groups, etc. Works of piety in the private sphere are prayer, searching the scripture, fasting etc.
You can think of holiness of life (loving others) in the same two categories, public and private. Works of mercy in the public sphere include acts of justice to liberate others from oppressive situations or habits. Helping people learn to live free of addictions is an act of mercy. Works of mercy in the private sphere have to do with charitable giving, helping others, not with others, but by yourself as your own ministry. I heard of a saint recently who always brought flowers to people when she heard they needed encouragement. She planted and harvested flowers and made her own arrangements. This was her personal ministry, her act of charity, a work of mercy.
By regularly practicing acts of devotion in our private life, and acts of worship in our public life, we grow in our ability to love God. By regularly practicing acts of compassion in our private life and acts of justice in our public life, we grow in our ability to love others.
My definition for a Methodist is "one who has the love of God filling their heart through the Holy Spirit such that every thought, word, and deed comes from God's love." One of the other participants wrote this definition:
"A Methodist is a follower of Jesus Christ who is working toward perfection in loving God and all people."
Practicing the means of grace fills us with love and grows us in love until we love like Jesus loved us.
Whatever the definition for a Methodist, a Methodist is disciplined about growing toward a Christ-like life. Both their inner life and their outward life reflects the love of God.
How is this definition different from other Christian traditions? It isn't really. Wesley always said, Methodists were seeking to be true Christians in heart and life.
I pray that you all will take the opportunities given to pursue holiness in heart and life through worship, devotion, compassion and justice. The love of Christ compels us.
The works of mercy include doing no harm and doing good.
Doing no harm means just what it says, but we don't perhaps think of how we participate in systems that are doing harm. As consumers we drive the wheels of industry. When we buy shirts made in some far away country at the discount store, we may be support sweat shops that treat their employees like slaves. When we buy chocolate from the major suppliers like Hershey and Mars, we are supporting child slavery in the Ivory Coast on cocoa plantations. Our carbon footprint and what we throw away in the trash has an impact on the environment we all must share. When we respond to sexualized advertising, we send a message to marketers that the sexual objectification of women and men is what the American consumer wants.
Doing good is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, welcoming the stranger, etc. Doing good is to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed in our society. Doing good is working for justice for those who suffer under oppressive systems, individuals or ideas.
You can think of holiness in heart (loving God) in two categories, public and private. Works of piety in the public sphere are worship, the Lord's Supper, small group studies, prayer groups, etc. Works of piety in the private sphere are prayer, searching the scripture, fasting etc.
You can think of holiness of life (loving others) in the same two categories, public and private. Works of mercy in the public sphere include acts of justice to liberate others from oppressive situations or habits. Helping people learn to live free of addictions is an act of mercy. Works of mercy in the private sphere have to do with charitable giving, helping others, not with others, but by yourself as your own ministry. I heard of a saint recently who always brought flowers to people when she heard they needed encouragement. She planted and harvested flowers and made her own arrangements. This was her personal ministry, her act of charity, a work of mercy.
By regularly practicing acts of devotion in our private life, and acts of worship in our public life, we grow in our ability to love God. By regularly practicing acts of compassion in our private life and acts of justice in our public life, we grow in our ability to love others.
My definition for a Methodist is "one who has the love of God filling their heart through the Holy Spirit such that every thought, word, and deed comes from God's love." One of the other participants wrote this definition:
"A Methodist is a follower of Jesus Christ who is working toward perfection in loving God and all people."
Practicing the means of grace fills us with love and grows us in love until we love like Jesus loved us.
Whatever the definition for a Methodist, a Methodist is disciplined about growing toward a Christ-like life. Both their inner life and their outward life reflects the love of God.
How is this definition different from other Christian traditions? It isn't really. Wesley always said, Methodists were seeking to be true Christians in heart and life.
I pray that you all will take the opportunities given to pursue holiness in heart and life through worship, devotion, compassion and justice. The love of Christ compels us.
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