19. Fear God, do not rashly tear asunder the sacred ties to any Christian society.
WESLEY:
I entreat you, therefore, my brethren, all that fear God, and have a desire to please them, all that wish to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man, think not so slightly of this matter, but consider it calmly. Do not rashly tear asunder the sacred ties which unite you to any Christian society. This indeed is not of so much consequence to you who are only a nominal Christian. For you are not now vitally united to any of the members of Christ. Though you are called a Christian, you are not really a member of any Christian Church. But if you are a living member, if you live the life that is hidden with Christ in God, then take care how you tend the body of Christ by separating from your brethren. It is a thing evil in itself. It is a sore evil in its consequences. O have pity upon yourself! Have pity on your brethren. Have pity even upon the world of the ungodly! Do not lay more stumbling-blocks in the way of these for whom Christ died.
PRAYER:
Matthew 5:9 (MSG) “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
REFLECTION:
Wesley is clear - don’t rush. A period of 6 months is nothing in the building of the Body of Christ. Even a century is nothing in the path of the Spirit working for towards the united people of Christ. I believe Wesley is weeping when he pens - “O have pity upon yourself! Have pity on your brothers/sisters.” Do we have faith in the Spirit that is working through the UMC? The sacred ties which unite our family. It must be said that separation without any real harm is evil. I pray we all find clarity of any harm they may be sensing.
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