THE SOCIAL WITNESS OF CHARLES WESLEY’S HYMNS – Part 2 of 3

Here is the marvel of it: John and Charles Wesley did social action. They didn’t seem to pay a great deal of lip service to social reform, but they made it happen. Most church historians feel that the Wesleys were instinctively conservative politically, yet they brought about a social and economic reformation, the results of which continue in England and America to this day.   

Perhaps the text for their experience is Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” I am not by any means suggesting that we abandon or mute our call for social and economic justice, but I believe that call must be derivative. My reasons are both theological and pragmatic. If we believe, as the gospel declares, that human beings are eternal creatures, then we who are the unique advocates of the eternal dare not let that fact become obscure or secondary. And as we emphasize the eternal, and keep Christ as our focus, I am altogether sure that we will make a more effective social, economic, and political witness than we are now doing. So much of what we currently say seems to lack authority, or to be only an echo of the secular voices around us. We will regain our uniqueness and our power to the degree that we remember who our Lord is – Jesus, the Christ – and what manner of creatures we human beings are – eternal. 

-- J. Ellsworth Kalas (1923-2015) in “Our First Song: Evangelism in the Hymns of Charles Wesley” 

#6355

THE SOCIAL WITNESS OF CHARLES WESLEY’S HYMNS – Part 1 of 3

When we preach on social action, we are likely to use Charles Wesley’s “A Charge to Keep I Have” as one of our supporting hymns. The second verse, in particular, seems to apply:

          To serve the present age,
                     My calling to fulfill;
          O may it all my powers engage
                     To do my Master’s will.

But when we sing it, we ought to be instructed and perhaps corrected by it. Wesley’s impulse for serving the present age was very clear: “My calling to fulfill… to do my Master’s will.” He had a “charge to keep,” and he knew what it was:

          A God to glorify,
                     A never dying soul to save,
          And fit it for the sky.

 Further, Wesley had a sense of eternal destiny which modern congregations may find unfamiliar if not uncomfortable:

          Assured, if my trust betray,
                     I shall forever die.

He went about the work of this “present age” with an eye well-fixed on eternity and on the will of God. His social action was never in danger of becoming earthbound. I doubt that Wesley would ever have been content with social action or economic reform which was an end in itself. The “present age” has its ultimate significance in that it is inhabited by those who have “a never-dying soul.”  

--  J. Ellsworth Kalas (1923-2015) in “Our First Song: Evangelism in the Hymns of Charles Wesley” 

#6354

EFFECTIVE LEADERS

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

A story is told about a boy who valiantly, but unsuccessfully, attempted to move a heavy log to clear a pathway to his favorite hideout. His dad stood quietly nearby, watching his son straining against the load. Finally he said, "Son, why aren't you using all of your strength?"

Confused and a little angry, the boy responded, "Dad, I'm using every last little bit of strength I have!"

"No, son, you're not," his dad quietly responded. "You haven't asked me to help."

Effective leaders use all of their strength by recognizing, developing and utilizing the people around them. They know how to develop healthy alliances both with those on their own team and those on other teams. 

-- Bible Gateway 

#6353

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

“Jesus told [the sister of Lazarus], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’  ‘Yes, Lord,’ she told Him. ‘I have always believed You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.’”  (John 11:25-27 NLT)

Perhaps it is only when we realize and celebrate the intrinsic value of every human life that celebrity -- true celebrity -- shines most brightly. On our death beds, none of us will speak of the jobs we’ve held or the stuff we’ve acquired in our lifetimes; here Bull Markets and Nielsen ratings are irrelevant. A life-threatening illness jettisons pretention in no time flat. Death is the great equalizer. Death dares us to define what really matters. 

-- Nancy Cobb in “In Lieu of Flowers: A Conversation for the Living”

#6352

SHINING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Joni Eareckson Tada has stated, “Gradually, though no one remembers exactly how it happened, the unthinkable becomes tolerable. And then acceptable. And then legal. And then applaudable.”

Jesus prayed a very fitting prayer over His disciples in John 17:15-21, which I believe applies for all believers, for all times. “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

We live in a time where Satan doesn’t even hide anymore and we still don’t see him. 

People are in need. The world is dark, yes. But the light of Jesus, His message, His saving message of hope and salvation and transformation, can pierce, illuminate, and completely overtake any darkness there is. People are in need, yes. And the devil isn’t hiding anymore with his attacks.

Where is the church? It is time we shine the light in every dark crevice there is on this planet. 

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

-- Author Unknown

#6351