And if men thus deceive themselves, is it any wonder that they deceive others also, and that we so seldom find “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile?” In looking over my books, some years ago, I found the following memorandum: “I am this day thirty years old; and till this day I know not that I have met with one person of that age, except in my father’s house, who did not use guile, more or less.”
This is one of the sorts of desperate wickedness which cleaves to the nature of every man, proceeding from those fruitful roots, — self-will, pride, and independence on God. Hence springs every species of vice and wickedness; hence every sin against God, our neighbour, and ourselves. Against God, — forgetfulness and contempt of God, of his name, his day, his word, his ordinances; Atheism on the one hand, and idolatry on the other; in particular, love of the world, the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life; the love of money, the love of power, the love of ease, the love of the “honour that cometh of men,” the love of the creature more than the Creator, the being lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God: — Against our neighbour, ingratitude, revenge, hatred, envy, malice, uncharitableness.
Hence there is in the heart of every child of man, an inexhaustible fund of ungodliness and unrighteousness, so deeply and strongly rooted in the soul, that nothing less than almighty grace can cure it. From hence naturally arises a plentiful harvest of all evil words and works; and to complete the whole, that complex of all evils, —
— That foul monster, War, that we meet,
Lays deep the noblest work of the creation;
Which wears in vain its Maker’s glorious image,
Unprivileged from thee!
In the train of this fell monster are murder, adultery, rape, violence, and cruelty of every kind….
–From his sermon “The Deceitfulness Of The Human Heart”
RE: “Hence there is in the heart of every child of man, an inexhaustible fund of ungodliness and unrighteousness, so deeply and strongly rooted in the soul, that nothing less than almighty grace can cure it.”
Too negative.
Not really aware of our more modern scientific discoveries about the general goodness and natural wholeness of humankind.
And definitely not very inclusive and affirming.
He needs to discover the Christness within of all humanity and live into who he really is — beloved and full of light. Our more positive vision of the goodness of humankind is more likely to fill the churches to overflowing.
And really . . . considering his use of the phrase “child of man” all of this sermon is really about male supremacy, isn’t it?
John Wesley was an extraordinarily gifted Christian leader—one of the greatest figures of the evangelical tradition within Anglican Christianity. He well understood how to touch the heart and to inculcate solid discipleship.
How poignant, then, to think of the cold reception he and his followers received from the Latitudinarian (Broad Church) establishment, the spiritual ancestors of today’s prophets of “tolerance” and “inclusion.” They had no room for him. They froze his followers out.
re #2,
How tragic to see what his movement has become as today’s United Methodist Church. It’s just like TEC, but without all the liturgy. There is no longer even one UMC bishop to forcefully speak out against nutty theology and political pandering by UMC agencies and UMC bishops. The UMC hierarchy has arguably done a better job of keeping the laity in the dark than TEC. There is no credible UMC movement to reform or separate from the nut jobs that run this church. It will interesting to see how quickly the UMC continues to decline.
Wesley’s is a proper reply to the recent athiestic advertising scheme.
I was a Methodist Church member, but now am still a Methodist in the Episcopal Church. I left Methodism because of its free Church tendencies that had no restraint on spoiling the liturgy, and also due to the point that there is no longer a need for a separate Methodist Church (apart from Anglicanism). There are enough Methodists in the Episcopal Church to bring abuot the revival of Fr. John’s Church.
Thank you Fr. Harmon for these words…
Intercessor
[i] How tragic to see what his movement has become as today’s United Methodist Church [/i]
Yes, indeed, though the picture is brighter abroad. I’ve read that Global South evangelicals will, going forward, have majority control of the key international Methodist body.
“The Deceitfulness Of The Human Heart” …nothing less than almighty grace can cure it.
******************************************************
And, it is the grace of Almighty God that does cure it! We have a new, redeemed, good heart.
The Phoenix rises from the ashes. Cinderella rises from the cinders to become a queen. The Ugly Duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Pinocchio becomes a real boy. The frog becomes a prince. The Cowardly Lion gets his courage, the Scarecrow his brains, and the Tin Woodman a new heart. They are all transformed into the very thing they never thought they could be.
Why are we enchanted by tales of transformation? I can’t think of a movie or novel or fairy tale that doesn’t somehow turn on this. Why is it an essential part of any great story? Because it is the secret to Christianity, and Christianity is the secret to the universe. “You must be born again†(John 3:7). You must be transformed. Keeping the Law, following the rules, polishing up your manners—none of that will do. “What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people†(Gal. 6:15). Is this not the message of the Gospel? Zacchaeus the trickster becomes Zacchaeus the Honest One. Mary the whore becomes Mary the Last of the Truly Faithful. Paul the self-righteous murderer becomes Paul the Humble Apostle.
And us? I doubt many of us would go so far as to say we’re transformed. Perhaps we have changed a bit in what we believe and how we act. We confess the creeds now, and we’ve gotten our temper under control . . . for the most part. But “transformed†seems a bit too much to claim. How about “forgiven and on our way� That’s how most Christians would describe what’s happened to them. It’s partly true . . . and partly untrue, and the part that’s untrue is what’s killing us.
We’ve been told that even though we have placed our hope in Christ, even though we have become his followers, our hearts are still desperately wicked. And of course, so long as we believe that our hearts remain untouched, unchanged, we will pretty much live untouched and unchanged. For our heart is the wellspring of life within us.
#8, the Gospel of Mark says that Jesus preached repentance. God expects nothing less and provides the means to do it. I shudder to think of His judgement on those who teach otherwise.