Since I’m working on a piece on Wesley’s General Rules I reread Rueben Job’s book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living yesterday afternoon. It’s a tiny book – fewer than 70 pages. It’s easy to read in a single sitting. I’ve long grumbled that Job oversimplifies the General Rules, especially the first. I’ll say more about why I grumble another time.
Here’s the original language:
There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission
into these [Methodist] societies: ‘a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.’ But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is
most generally practiced, such as: [here follows numerous examples]
Secondly: By doing good [again followed by examples]
Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God [and again, followed by examples]
Job’s summary of these “simple” rules is:
Do no harm
Do good
Stay in love with God
The big change in languages comes with the third rule. Job’s simplification will probably strike you as an obvious improvement. After all, what does “attending upon” mean? I checked Google NGram and wasn’t surprised to see that the usage of this phrase peaked long ago – back when John Wesley’s father was a child:
The archaic phrase means “commit yourself to doing.” Job is correct that doing the “ordinances” listed in the third rule – worship, prayer, scripture study, accountability, fasting, etc. will sustain love for God. The General Rules, whether read in the “original” or in Job’s “simplification” shows us ways we can “stay in love with God.” If you want to “stay in love with God” are you taking up these disciplines of the faith? Are they part of your life? If they’re not, they can be.
Bandits No More 