I really liked reading John Wesley. I read a few of his things when I did my confirmation class for church. The passage that stood out to me was number 8 on page 4.
"Now let each of us lay his hand upon his heart and say, "'Lord is it I?' Have I added to this flood of unrightousness and ungodliness, and thereby to the misery of my countrymen? Am I not guilty in any preceding respects? And do not they suffer because I have sinned?" If we have any tenderness of heart, any bowels of mercies, any sympathy with the afflicted, let us pursue this thought till we are deeply sensible of our sins, as one great cause of their sufferings."
I think that this can be applied to many life situations. How many times do people suffer from other people's sins? A man who murdered a child can be elligible for parole after a few years. A woman who shoplifted watches as another woman is accused of her crime. How often will people actually admit to their own sins? Pride usually gets in the way of admitting when we have done something wrong. I have this problem too. Sometimes I don't want to admit that I have done something wrong. I think that if more of us had the strength and ability to admit when we have done something wrong, then maybe this world could become a somewhat better place.
P.S. I commented on Amanda Gaster's blog, shine YOUR light.
First off, you must have been raised Methodist, because you went through confirmation. So was I! Good to know! Anyways, I'm right there with you. We almost wrote the same blog. I found Wesley very convicting. Am I who I profess to be? What things do I need to look at that I am doing wrong? I know from past experience that when I take a good look at myself, and admit who I am, God grows me exponentially! Is it uncomfortable,yes! But I will never regret it. Sadly I think a lot of American church goers don't realize what they are missing out on. Like you said, I wish we could just admit to our mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWesley also makes the point that WE cause OUR own suffering from OUR own sin. Not that we cause others and they cause ours.
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