Pastor John Wright

Wesley's "The Catholic Spirit" records his commitment precisely to what he says -- catholicity. Wesley had no desire to be Wesleyan or to preach anything other than the faith given to the saints; he wanted no ethic except for that which call all Christians together. For those who want to turn to "distinctiveness" in order to "brand" their congregations, Wesley gives little justification.

Yesterdays excerpts move from God to God in Christ to participation in God -- "your 'life is hid with Christ in God.' The next paragraphs might be filed under "love of God." As we will discover, this is followed by "love of neighbor". Wesley does not look for an catholicity of "belief" versus a ecumenicity of "praxis" or "behavior." The "catholic spirit" cannot separate "belief" from "behavior" as the love of God and neighbor must arise out of the Love that is God in Christ through the Spirit filling our hearts.

These next two paragraphs describe what Wesley sees as the "catholic spirit" in loving God with one's whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. As we've seen, coming from God, we are returning to God. Love for God is our call along the way. Yet love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbor. Thus two more paragraphs follow, describing the commitment to neighbor love, including love of enemy.

It is a challenging section to read. The crucial line is at the end: "if you are but sincerely desirous of it and following on till you attain, then 'your heart is right as my heart is with your heart." The catholic spirit is right desire for the triune God through love of neighbor.

II. 15. Are you employed in doing 'not your own will, but the will of Him that sent you' -- of Him that sent you down to sojourn here awhile, to spend a few days in a strange land, till, having finished the work God has given you to do, you return to your Father's house? Is it your meat and drink 'to do the will of our Father which is in heaven'? Is your eye single in all things, always fixed on God? always looking unto Jesus? Do you point a God in whatsoever you do? in all your labor, business, your conversation? aiming only at the glory of God in all; 'whatsoever you do, either in word or deed, doing it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God, even the Father through Him?

16. Does the love of God constrain you to serve God with fear, to 'rejoice unto Him with reverence'? Are you more afraid of displeasing God that either of death or hell? Is nothing so terrible to ou as the thought of offending the eyes of God's glory? Upon this ground, do you 'hate all evil ways,' every transgression of His holy and perfect law and herein 'exercise yourself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward humans'?"

17. Is your heart right toward your neighbor? Do you love as yourself, all humanity without exception? 'If yo love those only that love you, what thanks have you?' Do you 'love your enemies'? Is your soul full of good will of tender affection toward them? Do you love even the enemies of God, the unthankful and unholy? Do your bowels yearn over them? Could you 'wish yourself' temporally 'accursed' for their sake? And do you show this by 'blessing them that curse you and praying for those that despitefully use you and persecute you'?

18. Do you show your love by works? While you have time, as you have opportunity, do you in fact 'do good to all persons, 'neighbors or strangers, friends or enemies, good or bad? Do you do them all the good you can, endeavoring to supply all their wants, assisting them both in body and soul to the uttermost of your power? If you are thus minded, may every Christian say, even if you are but sincerely desirous of it and following on till you attain, then 'your heart is right as my heart is with your heart.'