What We Believe — A Wesleyan Perspective, Week 3
Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
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I cannot tell you how many times I went to the altar because I wondered whether I had gotten it right the first time.I wanted to belong to Jesus. I knew I needed forgiveness. But I kept wondering: Had I prayed the right words? Was I sincere enough? Had I changed enough? Maybe I needed to go back and try again.
I do not regret seeking God. The altar can be a wonderful place of prayer and surrender. But somewhere along the way, I had confused receiving salvation with proving I deserved it.
Eventually, I began to understand something that changed my perspective:
I do not do good works so God will save me. I do good works because God’s saving grace is changing me.
That is the order Paul gives us in Ephesians 2:8–10. We are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is God’s gift. Then, as people made new in Christ, we are created for good works.
Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the purchase price.
Grace Does Not Leave Us Where It Found Us
In the first message of this series, we said, “Grace found us first.” In the second, “Grace gives us a choice.” Now we take the next step: Grace does not leave us where it found us.
God’s grace not only forgives our sins; God’s grace transforms our hearts.
Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 is addressed to people who already belong to Jesus. Yet he asks God to sanctify them completely. Conversion is the beginning of God’s transforming work in us, and His purpose reaches into every part of life.
The word holiness sometimes brings to mind rules, appearances, or people who seem eager to judge everyone else. Scripture begins with God’s character and His call for us to reflect it.
Holiness is not about being better than other people.
Holiness is about belonging completely to God.
That belonging should shape our homes, conversations, relationships, and choices—even when nobody is watching.
God Wants Our Whole Heart
We all know what it is to do the right thing outwardly while struggling inwardly. We can speak politely while nursing resentment. We can serve faithfully while craving recognition. We can avoid obvious wrongdoing while giving pride room to grow.
God sees beneath our behavior. He cares about what governs our hearts. David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10 becomes our prayer: asking God to create a pure heart within us.
God does not merely want to remove sin from our record. He wants to change what rules our hearts.
Simply put, God wants our whole heart.
We may gladly surrender our Sunday mornings while protecting an old grudge. We may offer Him our gifts while insisting on controlling our future. His invitation reaches into those places, too.
Our hope rests in the faithful God who calls us. We surrender, trust, and obey; the Holy Spirit does the cleansing and transforming work. And a decisive surrender opens into a lifetime of growing in grace.
Perfect Love, Everyday Life
When Wesleyans speak of perfect love, we do not mean that Christians become incapable of mistakes. We still need wisdom, correction, forgiveness, and growth.
We mean a heart given fully to God, with His love governing our motives and actions.
Holiness is not a claim that I never need correction. Holiness is a heart that belongs to God and wants His love to govern everything.
What does that look like on a Tuesday afternoon?
Patience when someone tests our nerves. Integrity when dishonesty would be convenient. Compassion toward a hurting neighbor. Willingness to admit we were wrong. Forgiveness when we would rather keep score.
Galatians 5 calls these qualities the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit grows because life flows through the branch. As Jesus teaches in John 15, we bear fruit by remaining in Him.
A holy church becomes a church that cares, prays, and shares because Christ’s love is alive among His people.
A holy church becomes a church that cares, prays, and shares because Christ’s love is alive among His people.
An Invitation to Trust
Perhaps you recognize yourself in my story. You have prayed, tried harder, and wondered whether you have done enough for God to accept you.
Hear the good news: salvation is God’s gift through Jesus Christ. Turn from sin, trust Him, and receive His grace.
Or perhaps you know Christ as Savior but recognize something you have withheld—a resentment, a habit, a fear, or a need for control. Bring that to Him, too. Give Him your whole heart and trust His Spirit to do His sanctifying work.
I used to wonder whether I had gotten it right the first time. Today, my confidence rests in what Jesus has done for us and what His Spirit is able to do within us.
Grace found us first. Grace gave us a choice. And grace can make us holy.
Father, thank You that salvation is Your gift. Forgive us for trying to earn what Jesus freely offers. Search our hearts and show us what we have withheld. As we surrender to You, cleanse us and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Teach us to love You wholeheartedly and our neighbors as ourselves. Let our good works be the fruit of Your life within us. You are faithful, and we trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
