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GRACE: JOHN WESLEY’S UNDERSTANDING

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  • Post last modified:December 13, 2020
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In his sermon, “Salvation by Faith,” salvation promise “a present salvation.” He goes on, “It is something attainable, yea, actually attained on earth” by all those who have a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Wesley believed in Heaven. Yes, heaven, those who know Christ as savior on Earth will join with him for eternity in Heaven. Wesley also recognized, we can have knowledge of and joy from salvation in Christ while we are still alive on Earth. He preached this from Ephesians 2:8 — “For by grace you are [presently] saved through faith.”
Wesley understands salvation as a growing process thorough life.
John Wesley wisely defined Grace in three aspects: Prevenient grace; Justifying grace; and Sanctifying grace.
1) Prevenient grace, which leads people to repentance of sin. Repentance, which he described as a rationally growing acknowledgement of one’s need of God. Prevenient grace therefore is a starting function in the work of our present salvation. It quickens our conscience and picks our minds to know we need help from the Almighty God.
2) Justifying grace brings an awareness of freedom from sin [on Earth] through Christ.
Once we have Justifying grace, we live a life of salvation. Salvation is the process by which we learn to live out the will of God.
3) Sanctifying grace which is living the life of salivation is pursuit of personal holiness—Sanctifying grace. Sanctification begins with our new birth in Christ, which leads us to love God more clearly and love others as we love ourselves.
Wesley preached repentance. But we must be careful to understand true repentance.
We do not save ourselves—by any means! Therefore, our understanding, our need for repentance (our justification and turning from sin) and sanctification (the growth in holiness) are all the result of God’s grace working in us. We cannot attribute repentance to human will. We can’t reject sin until the grace of Christ is given. It is his grace and his grace alone that is stronger than the power of sin. A perfect example of Christ’s grace given is in Luke 23:40-42, as the blasphemous men hung on the crosses, on either side of Jesus. One Rejects and mocks Christ, the other receives Christ as the one who forgives sin.
This should help us understand salvation is not earned. Grace is not something we control. Rather, grace is given to bring us into the fullness of salvation.

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Timothy R Carter

Hailing from the serene landscapes of North Georgia, Timothy Roy Carter wears multiple hats with equal finesse. Timothy's spiritual journey was chiseled from a young age, the middle child of a pastor, an inheritance he imbibed and eventually embraced as he, too, chose the path of a lead pastor. Academically, Timothy is no slouch. He boasts a BA in Pastoral Ministries from the esteemed Lee University and further sharpened his theological insights with a Master of Divinities from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. His credentials, however, don't just reside in parchments and certificates but are echoed in the community he serves and leads with devotion. Timothy's love for the written word manifests in his column for the local newspaper—a testament to his eloquence and deep insights. Before this, he had the privilege of reaching audiences through columns in two other newspapers, disseminating wisdom and observations that were both profound and accessible. While many know him as a pastor and columnist, fewer know his prowess as an author. With a flair for both fiction and nonfiction, Timothy's bibliography is diverse. He crafts nonfictional guides aimed at nurturing budding writers while also penning works focused on demystifying the intricacies of the Bible for the lay reader. For those with a penchant for the imaginative, Timothy's science fiction works offer a delightful escape, marrying profound spiritual insights with the limitless boundaries of speculative fiction. Beyond the pulpit and the pen, Timothy is an artist at heart. He finds solace in the strokes of paintbrushes and the sketches of pencils, creating visual art that speaks as eloquently as his writings. He is also a staunch advocate for holistic well-being, recognizing the symbiotic relationship between the mind, body, and spirit. This has led him to delve deep into nutrition and exercise, not just as a personal pursuit but as a mission to educate and elevate others. In Timothy Roy Carter, one finds a harmonious blend of a spiritual guide, a wordsmith, an artist, and a wellness advocate. But above all, at his core, he is an educator fervently dedicated to the noble cause of enlightening minds and enriching souls. He is the author of several books, blogs, newspapers, and international journal articles. Carter holds degrees of Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministries, with a concentration in Counseling from Lee University (2005); Master of Divinities with a concentration in Counseling from Pentecostal Theological Seminary (2008). Carter is a Bishop with Church of God, Cleveland, TN.; License Community Service Chaplain; Licensed Level 4 Church Consultant; Christian Counselor. Bishop Carter is available for speaking engagements and or training sessions. You can contact him here.