November 3, 2022
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is also unjust in much.” Luke 16:10
Having been ordained to ministry in the established church, John Wesley came to a point of realizing that he did not have real peace with God. As he sought to gain a clearer understanding of the Bible’s teachings about faith, he recognized that he had been taught and trained to depend upon his own works for salvation. The contrast with the Biblical truth that he discovered was stark. Joyfully, he entered into a brand-new faith, trusting wholly in the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) From that point forward, his good works flowed forth from the wellspring of life!
An aspect of Christianity that became very dear to the heart of John Wesley was that of witnessing. Jesus had said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 15:16) John Wesley realized that every waking moment of the disciples during their time with Jesus was training and preparation to tell the world of Him. Faithfully, John and his brother Charles taught of the essential nature of teaching the gospel, sharing the glad tidings of the Savior’s love! With a wholehearted focus on witnessing that others may be saved, he, in essence, initiated a restoration of the golden seven-branch candlestick of the sanctuary. Jesus said that He, Himself, is the light of the world—and He also said that His followers were to be the light of the world (John 8:12, Matthew 5:14, see also Philippians 2:15).
John Wesley was ridiculed by other Christians for his insistence on the personal responsibility to witness and also for such statements as this regarding God’s law: “There is perfect harmony between the law & the gospel…the closest connection that can be conceived. On the one hand, the law continually makes way for, and points us to, the gospel; on the other, the gospel leads us to a more exact fulfilling of the law….we lay hold of these glad tidings and it is done according to our faith: the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The discovery of a jewel in the word of God is the result of a heart truly seeking after God and yielded to the Holy Spirit. Each of the Reformers remained steadfast in the face of ridicule and the threat of death, faithfully handing out the priceless gems to anyone willing to receive them. And just as there were those in the jeering crowd at the crucifixion of Jesus who later gave their hearts to Him, John Wesley and others like him (whose names God knows), held to their faith, knowing that among those who ridiculed and threatened them were future citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We, too, can continue handing out jewels while looking forward to the sight of that great multitude which no one could number (Revelation 7:9).
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” Matthew 25:21 (& 23)