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Holy Living = Wholly Loving

November 14, 2014   ·   0 Comments

 

Reverend Barbara Moulton

 

“As we walk with Jesus and make the right choice in the little things it is evidence that our will is being molded into His will.” (Jeremy Brydges*)

Holiness is “…love ruling the whole life, animating all our tempers and passions, directing all our thoughts, words, and actions.” (John Wesley)

Many of those reading these words will know of John Wesley. The eighteenth century theologian was, along with his brother Charles, instrumental in the founding of Methodism.

But who is Jeremy Brydges?

Jeremy is an outreach worker with Highland’s Youth for Christ and, I am happy to say, a member of our church. In a praise report a few months ago he shared his thoughts about living in God’s will. He spoke of his belief that holiness is seen in the little choices we make in life. After church I asked him if he would write out some of his thoughts.

Jeremy stated,

“God’s will is for us to show love to everyone; strangers, families and enemies. When we make the choice to love we are doing God’s will.”

John Wesley also emphasized the connection between heart holiness and love. He believed that holiness is “…love ruling the whole life, animating all our tempers and passions, directing all our thoughts, words, and actions.”

Centuries apart, yet both these men each identify a core belief about holiness which I affirm with all my heart. That holiness must be inward and outward and shown in loving actions. Holiness is making the loving choice.

Jeremy gave the example of walking out of a store and noticing that a sign had fallen over. He chose to bend over and pick it up. Nobody has asked him to do this. Nobody was watching, as far as he knew. He simply knew it was a little thing he could do to save the store employee an extra task. It was a little act of love and obedience to the leading of the Spirit.

I told him that I have that same feeling when I take my groceries to the car. I have made a commitment to take my cart back to the corral even when the weather is miserable or the parking lot is full of slushy snow. It’s a small thing but it has become a symbol of surrender to me. If I can’t do this little thing, to save a store employee an extra trip and prevent damage to the cars of other customers, then why would God trust me with greater opportunities to love?

Jeremy wrote,

“When I could have done nothing I did the right thing”

I believe this is significant. Holiness is not simply choosing to do the right thing instead of the wrong thing. Holiness goes further than that. It is choosing to do the right thing when there is no expectation to do anything at all. Little acts of love consistently done are evidence of holy hearts.

I was raised in the holiness tradition of the faith with a resource of great hymns. I sang this one when I was younger. After many years on the journey I make them my prayer each day and ask that the spirit of God will help me and Jeremy and other pilgrims to live holiness in the loving choices we make. Not in our own strength but in the strength of God’s spirit.

 

Lord, may your love translucent shine

Through every loving deed of mine,

That all may see the works I do

And give the glory all to you.

(Malcolm Bale)

 

*Jeremy gave his whole hearted permission for me to use his name and thoughts in this column.

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