Open to Grace.
September 27, 2008 – 12:01 pmJesus is God’s means of grace. What that meant for John Wesley was that means of grace are: “…outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace.”
Wesley talked about a variety of works of piety and works of mercy:
Works of Piety:
• Prayer
• Searching the Scriptures
• Holy Communion
• Fasting
• Christian Community
• Healthy Living
Works of mercy:
• Doing good
• Visiting the sick and prisoners
• Feeding and clothing people
• Earning, saving, giving all one can
• Opposition to slavery
I believe as Wesley did that these practices will open a person to God in powerful ways. One can use this list as a way to gauge the health of one’s own spirituality. How are you doing in each of these categories?
