John Wesley on Salvation - Book Report/Review Example

13 March 2007 John Wesley on Salvation In this current era, it is irrefutable that people have little or no understanding about what Wesleyan Way of Salvation. With the wide apostasy in the church, it is imperative to study salvation in the light of God's word-the Bible. In order for an individual to fully understand it, he must first be informed and comprehend why he needs to saved. Speaking about salvation necessitates the explanation of the fall of man whereby Adam and Eve sinned before God in the Garden of Eden passing this sin in the entire generation of man.

Because of this, man becomes a slave to sin and is doomed for eternity. But God, with His great love and mercy for humanity gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross as sacrifice for the redemption of all sinners. The death of Jesus Christ allows man to come before God that he might have salvation. This will eventually lead to the discussion of how an individual can be saved and thus, the Wesleyan Way of Salvation. In order to understand this gift from God, it becomes necessary to define what salvation is.

According to Wesley, salvation has two components: first, it refers to justification or forgiveness of sins; and sanctification, which refers to perfection or living a life without the presence of sin (The Scripture Way of Salvation 7-9). Furthermore, salvation is a grace from God which emphasizes that this is an unmerited favor which no man really deserves. John Wesley emphasizes that faith is imperative in attaining salvation. An individual seeking salvation must have the assurance that God loves Him and gives Himself for his redemption.

It should also be highlighted that faith is the sole condition of being justified: "None is justified but he that believes; without faith no man is justified" (The Scripture Way of Salvation 14). In fact, when a man believes, he is immediately forgiven by God. The necessity of repentance also goes hand in hand with faith in the attainment of salvation. A 180 degree change towards good works becomes the best indication of repentance whereby an individual willfully turns away from sin. However, even though repentance is also vital in salvation, it is only "remotely necessary" unlike faith which is "immediately and proximately necessary" (20).

Thus, turning away from evil and doing good works cannot bring an individual into the attainment of salvation but only through his faith in God's grace can be justified and sanctified. However, once a person is justified, God calls and requires him to excel in every good work. Since salvation is God's work alone through His grace and given faith, an individual also has the responsibility of "working out his own salvation with trembling and fear." An individual seeking salvation is obliged to desire and to do what is good.

This does not diminish the glory of God and attribute it to man because it is God's power alone which can urge us to accomplish good things (On Working Out Your Own Salvation 3). Wesley emphasizes that the utmost indication of faith is through a believer's obedience. The Wesleyan Way of Salvation is a classic that brings man in proper relationship with his God. During the 21st century, it becomes necessary to speak about the true way of salvation by stressing the key points emphasized by Wesley and are briefly discussed above.

However, it should also be highlighted that communicating this doctrine is the great commission given by God, yet, it is still His Holy Spirit which can convict man to faith, repentance, and salvation. Works Cited John Wesley. "On Working Out Our Own Salvation." The United Methodist Church. 2007. 14 March 2007. John Wesley. "The Scripture Way of Salvation." The United Methodist Church. 2007. 14 March 2007. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/43/ Bibliography Campbell, Ted A.

"Methodist Doctrines: The Essentials." 1999. United States: Abingdon Press