Reflections on John Wesley's Sermon: The Means of Grace - Essay Example

The truth is that grace is also required and grace is hard to come by. A “heart renewed after the image of God” is what they should have been aiming for, and the vehicle to achieve this renewal cannot be found inside of them, is not inherent inside of every person, but is a gift from God called grace (Wesley). This sermon made me think hard about my own relationship with God and the approaches I have tried to take to find him inside of me. We all go through times of doubt when we must renew our faith and reconsider the power of our relationship with God and the renewal that he brings.

In recent months I have had a number of personal problems which have been challenging. I have relied on myself too much. In a sense, I turned inward. I realize now, having read Wesley's sermon, that this is the wrong approach. I have been too focused on myself and not focused enough on the grace of God which can lead me through these tribulations if I open my heart to it. Wesley's most important point, in my opinion, is his emphasis on prayer. He quotes Matt. 7:7, 8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

" This has long been one of my favourite verses from scripture. In only a few words, a tremendous concept is revealed. What this verse indicates is a core message Wesley is trying to deliver. What we want, what we need, is there for the taking. Love, mercy, salvation, are all on the table before us. All that is required is for us to put out our hand and open our heart. This openness is central to the life of every true Christian, but is surprisingly rare. It is most commonly achieved through prayer.

Prayer is the foundation of my personal spiritual life. Every day begins and ends with prayer as part of a dialogue with God. Combining prayer with meditation, allows me to heal and clean myself at the end of a difficult day. Prayer is the scaffolding upon which I build each day and which I work hard to stay true to. But as this sermon teaches, prayer is nothing without grace: Yet once more: We allow, though it is a melancholy truth, that a large proportion of those who are called Christians, do to this day abuse the means of grace to the destruction of their souls.

This is doubtless the case with all those who rest content in the form of godliness, without the power. Either they fondly presume they are Christians already, because they do thus and thus,--although Christ was never yet revealed in their hearts, nor the love of God shed abroad therein: -- Or else they suppose they shall infallibly be so barely because they use these means.(Wesley) They think that their own strength will guide them and make them worthy. But as Wesley shows us so clearly through his words, God and salvation are more complicated than that.

Salvation does not come from within or through the work that you do in your own life, no matter how improving it might be. Only grace allows you to come closer to God and without grace, salvation is not possible. There are far too many Christians in name only, who simply mouth the words and go over the prayers in their head without working to find grace. It is these people whom Wesley is disappointed in. Wesley makes it clear that true Christians are single-minded in their devotion. All works, all outward things, must be done and seen in the spirit of God.

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