Methodists ~ GregJ

I have talked to Christians who objected to the idea of becoming a better Christian. I would not call them lazy. They languidly pointed out that Christ Jesus has already done all that can be done to please God.  Moreover, God has already programmed each person’s future. Service may come. If they need preparation or discernment, God will provide. They cite Ephesians 2: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (More) They sit back and enjoy the ride on the train from St. Augustine to Calvinville.

Those, ahem, determined believers are rare. Few Christians are completely passive. God calls us holy and saints. Most of us want to match such titles with improved thought, feelings, and action.

So it was with college students John Wesley (1703-1791), his brother Charles, and some friends. They formed a club that advanced the following 22 yes or no questions to track daily their lifelong pursuit of holiness.  Tally how well you do on these 22 questions. I’ve rephrased some so that answers of “yes” are always desirable. 22 “yes” answers puts you close to Jesus.

1. Do I never consciously or unconsciously create the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, do I avoid being a hypocrite?
   
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words and never exaggerate?
3. Do I never blab what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I never inclined to impress people by my dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I never self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. Did I speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I obey God in all things?
14. Do I not do something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I never defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I never jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. Do I spend my spare time productively?
18. Am I humble?
19. Do I never thank God that I am not as other people, as the Pharisees who despised the tax collector?
20. Can I say there is no one I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward, or disregard? If there are such persons, am I doing anything about it?
21. Do I never grumble or complain?
22. Is Christ real to me?

I find this is a tough list. What else would you consider?  How about, "Have I been generous? Have I encouraged anyone? Have I been discerning? Have I done kindness? Have I forgiven? Have I gone the second mile? ..."

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6) 

Lists like these bug me. They easily spotlight my errors, fumbles, and opportunities missed. Tip: Such a list as just a performance review is a recipe for regret. It can be a prompt for pride. Use the list also to anticipate the day's opportunities. "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on."

It's possible to compose a list where I get an A+. Consider the story of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke chapter 10.  The two jerks who passed by the injured man could congratulate themselves: Yes! I preserved my ritual purity and journeyed on to fulfill my appointed godly duties, not distracted by that bleeding man. Checkmark! Yay me! Jesus asked concerning the three passers-by, “which man was the neighbor?” Jesus did not hesitate to ask the right questions: simple but challenging questions.

A scorecard like the above can be a private record, or used as the Wesleys did in accountable and more-nearly-objective shared review. You can't always helpfully evaluate yourself. You can't always fix yourself. Wesley's use was in a small group. Wesley's journal notes how subsequent coworkers helped him with these matters. The Moses of Methodists John Wesley later published four amendments that also can present as yes or no questions.

A. Am I absolutely open and unreserved with all I should converse with?

B. Do I labor in continual seriousness, not willingly indulging myself in any the least levity of behavior, or in laughter; no not for a moment.

C. Do I speak no word that does not tend to the glory of God; in particular, do I not talk of worldly things?

D. Do I take no pleasure which does not to the glory of God; thanking God every moment for all I do take, rejecting every sort and degree of it which I feel I cannot so thank Him in and for?
 
Wot, no lafs?
 
Jesuits use “spiritual exercises” to grow; we’ll see some of that subsequently. Of course, Methodists use methods. Historically, the main method has been discipleship in the form of a weekly small group meeting. The leader would begin by asking an open-ended question, “How is it with your soul?” There would be Bible study, and review of the General Rule of Discipleship evidenced in acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion. The small group enhances self-examination and is inclined to compassionately critique, encourage, and assist.

Footnote: Already noted in the New Testament is tension over faith vs works, determinism vs free-will, original sin vs responsibility, and more... These surfaced in Pelagianism and continue today.

In the above screed I spotlighted an early method of Methodism. My focus will move on to look at lowercase "m" "methodists". That "methodist" is one who lives life and pursues personal development via conscious rules of conduct and self-correction. Subjective methods like "if it feels good, do it" or "go with your gut" are far shorter. But if these constitute an airplane pilot's pre-flight checklist, I'd not want to fly with that guy. The above 22 yes-or-no questions form an objective, transferable method. However, as the four additional questions show, the list never ends. The Journal of John Wesley goes to seven volumes.

Similarly, the Stoic Enchirodon, the Ignatian Examen, even The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are other self-evaluation checklists. For some these displace the Bible. I evaluate such principles and proverbs as stimulating perspectives: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

What's on your list?