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| John Wesley, New Room, Bristol |
I’ve learned to take that seriously because it generally points to something lacking in my prayer life or my spiritual journey. Today as I prayed, I was struck by a particular word in Form V, which includes this petition:
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.
Forbearance isn’t a word you hear every day. It sounds quaint, churchy, old-timey. If you don’t pay attention, it slips right past you without leaving an impression. But because I spend part of my life with my head stuck in the 18th century, it sounds almost normal. That's especially true since I have been reading parts of Wesley’s sermon “Of the Church” as part of this week’s "Word from John Wesley" in my devotional, A Disciple’s Journal.
Wesley takes as his text Ephesians 4: 1-6, rendered at the top of the sermon in glorious King James English—
I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Wesley defines "forbearing one another in love" as more than simply avoiding holding onto resentment or wreaking vengeance and as more than refraining from injuring, hurting, or grieving each other in word or deed. To forbear one another in love entails bearing each other's burdens and doing everything in our power to lessen the load. It means sympathizing with another's "sorrows, afflictions, and infirmities," especially supporting those who will probably sink under the weight of their burdens without our help, and "the endeavoring to lift their sinking heads, and to strengthen their feeble knees."
It sounds a lot like the first two of the General Rules adopted by John Wesley for the first Methodist Societies, (1) to do no harm and to avoid evil and (2) to do good in every possible way to all people. (The third is to attend upon the ordinances of God -- public worship, the ministry of the Word, Holy Communion, family/private prayer, study of scripture, and fasting or abstinence.)
Wesley urged those whose hearts had been awakened by the Spirit to adhere to these rules as a matter of discipline and as a framework for developing holiness of heart and life. Furthermore, in his sermon "On the Church," he emphasized the necessity, above all things, of letting love abound and overflow to everyone. Sadly, it seems that even the Church needs a remedial course in forbearance and love today!
During these confusing and uncertain days of quarantine, there's a distinct lack of love in much of the public discourse. Political and even church leaders point fingers and try to shame each other for their respective viewpoints regarding timetables for reopening church buildings, wearing masks in public, and even for understanding the science behind transmission of the virus. Going online to read the news or use social media is like stepping into a pit of vipers, and angry people are even traipsing around various state capitals, armed to the teeth. All or nothing thinking rules the day. How could some 18th century priest have anything relevant to say to us modern, "advanced" people in 2020?
If he showed up in 2020, Wesley might be bemused by the technology of today, but the state of the souls of men and women would hold no surprises. He lived in a rapidly changing, politically divided, turbulent age, and he spoke truth and love to people who were angry, resentful, and sinful, just like us. Given that, it's hard to accuse him of being naive as he traveled around, preaching about changed hearts and transformed lives to the vulnerable, the outcast, the bitter, and the broken. Perhaps reading what he had to say might give us a clue as to how we might better proceed. One thing I do know -- a little forbearance goes a long way, and love always bears sweeter fruit than wrath.
So how might you forbear with another person on Facebook or Twitter as well as face to face? In what ways can you help carry another person's burdens, especially someone with whom you disagree? Will you find that you have grown in grace during the pandemic, or will you drift into apathy or charge into meanness? When you look around you, who is rapidly sinking without your help, and just what does Jesus expect you to do about it?
However we specifically choose to respond, the right answer is always going to include love because the God who is above all, through all, and in all is Love.
Forbearance isn’t a word you hear every day. It sounds quaint, churchy, old-timey. If you don’t pay attention, it slips right past you without leaving an impression. But because I spend part of my life with my head stuck in the 18th century, it sounds almost normal. That's especially true since I have been reading parts of Wesley’s sermon “Of the Church” as part of this week’s "Word from John Wesley" in my devotional, A Disciple’s Journal.
Wesley takes as his text Ephesians 4: 1-6, rendered at the top of the sermon in glorious King James English—
I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Wesley defines "forbearing one another in love" as more than simply avoiding holding onto resentment or wreaking vengeance and as more than refraining from injuring, hurting, or grieving each other in word or deed. To forbear one another in love entails bearing each other's burdens and doing everything in our power to lessen the load. It means sympathizing with another's "sorrows, afflictions, and infirmities," especially supporting those who will probably sink under the weight of their burdens without our help, and "the endeavoring to lift their sinking heads, and to strengthen their feeble knees."
Wesley urged those whose hearts had been awakened by the Spirit to adhere to these rules as a matter of discipline and as a framework for developing holiness of heart and life. Furthermore, in his sermon "On the Church," he emphasized the necessity, above all things, of letting love abound and overflow to everyone. Sadly, it seems that even the Church needs a remedial course in forbearance and love today!
During these confusing and uncertain days of quarantine, there's a distinct lack of love in much of the public discourse. Political and even church leaders point fingers and try to shame each other for their respective viewpoints regarding timetables for reopening church buildings, wearing masks in public, and even for understanding the science behind transmission of the virus. Going online to read the news or use social media is like stepping into a pit of vipers, and angry people are even traipsing around various state capitals, armed to the teeth. All or nothing thinking rules the day. How could some 18th century priest have anything relevant to say to us modern, "advanced" people in 2020?
If he showed up in 2020, Wesley might be bemused by the technology of today, but the state of the souls of men and women would hold no surprises. He lived in a rapidly changing, politically divided, turbulent age, and he spoke truth and love to people who were angry, resentful, and sinful, just like us. Given that, it's hard to accuse him of being naive as he traveled around, preaching about changed hearts and transformed lives to the vulnerable, the outcast, the bitter, and the broken. Perhaps reading what he had to say might give us a clue as to how we might better proceed. One thing I do know -- a little forbearance goes a long way, and love always bears sweeter fruit than wrath.
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| Statuette of John Wesley, Old Rectory, Epworth |
So how might you forbear with another person on Facebook or Twitter as well as face to face? In what ways can you help carry another person's burdens, especially someone with whom you disagree? Will you find that you have grown in grace during the pandemic, or will you drift into apathy or charge into meanness? When you look around you, who is rapidly sinking without your help, and just what does Jesus expect you to do about it?
However we specifically choose to respond, the right answer is always going to include love because the God who is above all, through all, and in all is Love.
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