How do we get into the presence of God? Christian theology teaches that God is everywhere at once (omnipresent) and deeply involved in the outworking of events in history (immanence). At the same time, many people throughout history have sought practical ways to go deeper into the sustaining and empowering presence of God. John Wesley, a critical figure in the history of Protestant Christianity and the founder of Methodism was one of those people.
John Wesley always wanted to go deeper in his faith. He was constantly thirsty for more of God’s presence in his life and ministry to others. He knew in his heart that God’s presence alone could make him holy and ultimately happy (although Wesley’s definition of “happy” is quite different than the secular definition). As a result of study and prayer, John Wesley fervently believed that the means of grace were the best way to activate the sustaining and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
But what are the “means of grace”? The means of grace are the things (means, or instruments) through which God dispenses his grace in people and in the world. From the study of Scripture and with respect to the traditions of the Christian Church (Wesley was an Anglican), Wesley believed that there were certain practices, activities, or behaviors that God ordained as a place in which he would meet his people. Essentially God says to us, “If you do X, I will meet you there.”
A very clear example of the means of grace that we find in the Bible is in Matthew 18:20. Here Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Another example would be the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. Luke 22:19 says, “And he took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'” It’s that last bit, “Do this in remembrance of me,” where we find the means of grace.
Other examples of the means of grace would be confessing our sins, prayer, baptism, fasting, worship, giving testimonies of what Jesus has done in our lives, Bible study, and ministry of compassion (feeding and clothing those in need, visiting the sick and the imprisoned, seeking justice etc.). If we’re to do these things with the intention of loving and obeying God, we will find God’s presence there.
Do you find that God’s sustaining and empowering presence in your life is weak or anemic? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want your spiritual batteries charged? Do you want to find God’s presence in order to go further in the journey towards holiness and happiness? Practice the means of grace. When we practicing the means of grace, we will find our lives sustained and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Great stuff Matt. Anemic is a great choice of words. It is one of those words with so many connotations. I love it and hate it for it’s clarity and application to my life at the same time.
Anemic: Lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.
synonyms: feeble, weak, insipid, wishy-washy, vapid, bland. When we actually look at the medical side of it, it simply means lacking the essential element iron from the blood. “Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can’t produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.” Another definition would state “Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a main part of red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygen” In essence your cells are dying and starving for oxygen.
We will not lack God’s Grace if we simply maintain through slow constant ingestion of a wide variety of foods which sustains our spiritual life. Those you articulated. Not to take the analogy too far but sometimes we (I) find the need for our iron pills or wish and pray they happen more often and are available (mountain top experiences, Walks to Emmaus, Road to Damascus, etc.) but that is likely a result of an unbalanced life long approach without a clear understanding of the subtle daily interactions. The means of Grace gives us some great food for thought of what a balanced spiritual and worshipful diet should consist of moment by moment, daily. Through those moments we experience God’s Grace in our lives. Is that right?
On a side note, It seems amazing to me the similarities and synergies of all systems God has created through His design. I find it fascinating the Lords Prayer and the symbolism of the last supper take a literal meaning as we learn and grow in our studies. Perhaps you could comment on some of the amazing revelations outlined in “Signature in the Cell” at a later date and put it in its proper theological context.
Thank you for this bread.