John Wesley, Justification by Faith

This is the 9th sermon in this series. You can expect to see a new post in this series by 10am EST on Tuesday mornings. Just joining the growing number of people reading these sermons? Feel free to start at the beginning by reading the first sermon linked below.

Background:

Did you know that many of John Wesley’s sermons are part of the formal doctrinal teaching of multiple Wesleyan/Methodist denominations? Wesley’s sermons have particular authority because these were the main way he taught Methodist doctrine and belief.

“The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption” is the ninth sermon of the Wesleyan Standard Sermons. In hopes of sparking interest in Wesley’s sermons and Methodism’s doctrinal heritage, here is my very short summary of “The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption.” I hope it will inspire you to read the sermon in its entirety yourself. Links to the sermon and other resources are included at the end of this post.

Key quote: 

To sum up all. The ‘natural man’ neither fears nor loves God; one ‘under the law’ fears, one ‘under grace’ loves him. The first has no light in the things of God, but walks in utter darkness. The second sees the painful light of hell; the third, the joyous light of heaven. He that sleeps in death has a false peace. He that is awakened has no peace at all. He that believes has true peace, the peace of God, filling and ruling his heart…. To conclude: the natural man neither conquers nor fights; the man under the law fights with sin, but cannot conquer; the man under grace fights and conquers, yea is ‘more than conqueror, through him that loveth him.’ [III.8]

One sentence summary:  

This sermon describes three possible states in relation to God: asleep (false peace or indifference), awake and aware of separation from God, and awake and aware of receiving acceptance and pardon with God.

Scripture passage for the sermon:

“Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15 (KJV)

Concise outline of “The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption”

1. Paul is writing to children of God by faith.
2. The spirit of bondage and fear is widely distant from the loving spirit of adoption.
3. Most people have neither the fear of God before their eyes nor the love of God in their hearts.
4. You may remember when you were in the same situation.
5. A “natural man” has neither fear of God nor love for God.

I. The State of a “Natural Man”

1. The state of a natural man is a state of sleep, discerning neither spiritual good nor evil.
2. Because they are asleep, they are in some sense at rest.
3. They are secure because they are ignorant of themselves.
4. This ignorance is especially strong in people of learning.
5. From this ignorance there may sometimes be a joy in self-congratulation on their own wisdom and goodness.
6. It is not surprising if such a one thinks they walk in great liberty.
7. All this time the natural man is a servant of sin.
8. How can such a person be convinced of sin?

II. The State of One that is “Under the Law”

1. God touches them in some way and wakes them from their sleep and they see God’s justice.
2. The inward spiritual meaning of the law now begins to glare upon them.
3. Their heart is bare and they see it is all sin.
4. They feel they deserve to be cast into the fire that shall never be quenched.
5. Here ends this pleasing dream, this delusive rest, this vain security.
6. They feel the anguish of a wounded spirit.
7. Now they truly desire to break loose from sin, and begin to struggle with it. But sin is mightier than they are.
8. The more they strive, the more they feel their chains.
9. This struggle is the struggle of people under the law.
10. Who shall deliver me from this bondage? The grace of God through Jesus Christ my Lord.

III. The State of One under Grace

1. Then bondage ends and they are no more under the law, but under grace.
2. They cried unto the Lord in their trouble and God delivered them.
3. God breaks through and they are reconciled to God by the blood of the covenant.
4. Here end both the guilt and the power of sin.
5. The Spirit brings liberty from guilt, fear and sin itself.
6. They are a living witness of the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
7. The Spirit delivers us from anger, pride, and all vile affections.
8. To conclude: the natural man neither conquers nor fights; the one under the law fights but cannot conquer; and the one under grace fights and conquers.

IV. The Insufficiency of Sincerity

1. It is not sufficient to divide people into sincere and insincere. Examine not whether you are sincere, but whether you “be in faith.”
2. These states often mingle together in one person.
3. People don’t consider how far a person may go and yet be in a natural or at best a legal state.
4. Beware, if you call yourself a Christian that you come not short of the mark of thy high calling.

Resources:

Read “The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption” in its entirety.

Check out my brief summaries of the first eight Standard Sermons:

“Salvation by Faith”

“The Almost Christian”

“Awake, Thou That Sleepest”

“Scriptural Christianity“

“Justification by Faith“

“The Righteousness of Faith“

“The Way to the Kingdom“

“The First-Fruits of the Spirit“

I highly recommend the critical edition of Wesley’s sermons, which has excellent references that show his reliance on Scripture throughout his preaching. There are four volumes if you want every known Wesley sermon. They aren’t cheap, but this is the most important publication by Abingdon since its release. Highly recommended!

Kevin M. Watson is a professor at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He teaches, writes, and preaches to empower community, discipleship, and stewardship of our heritage. Click here to get future posts emailed to you. Affiliate links used in this post.