The inspiration of words

The soul of a person is captured in what they write and speak. This is a week where we remember how Christ changed the heart and mind of Charles Wesley, the inspiration behind thousands of songs and hymns. His popular hymns include Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Besides the words of his songs, Wesley also had some memorable quotes, which have been passed down through the ages. These include:

• "God buries His workmen but carries on His work." 
• "The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence is the sum of a Christian man." 
• "Be friends of everyone. Be enemies of no-one." 

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Living in Grace

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Can it be?

It was on the 21st of May 1738 that Charles Wesley had his second "conversion" experience. We remember that at this stage he was already an Ordained Priest, but clearly something was missing in his faith. On Pentecost Sunday of that year (21st May) he encountered God in a way that changed his life. 

We know that Charles went on to write over 6500 hymns and somehow managed to condense the complexities of theology into wonderful songs. These songs were used to bring about a revival in England and have continued to speak to believers for nearly 300 years. 

One of my favourite hymns is "And Can it Be", which marvels at the grace of God. Here are the lyrics again:

"And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
1. 
   
’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Thought: Sometimes the truth of God's mercy seems unbelievable, yet we are all invited to receive His wonderful Grace.

Living in Grace

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Come thou long expected Jesus

When Charles Wesley wrote the words of the hymn 'Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus', in 1744, I wonder if he grasped the legacy of his words. I am sure he wanted Christians to proclaim their desire for the return of Jesus, but did he think that we would still be singing his words in 2023? I am not so sure!

Anway, regardless of Charles Wesley's wishes, we are still singing this powerful song and I believe that each word holds the incredible grace and truth of God's love for us all. 

As we read these words again today, may they become our deepest prayer for this Advent season. 

Come, thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's Strength and Consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Living in Grace

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Looking for the star

"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." - Matthew 2:10

"O come, thou radiant Morning Star,
Again, in human darkness shine!
Arise, resplendent from afar!
Assert thy royalty divine!
Thy sway o'ver all the earth maintain,
And now begin they glorious reign. Amen." - Charles Wesley

As we look out in the evening skies, let us take note of the brightest stars and remember that the birth of Jesus Christ brings great joy.

May you find your JOY this Advent season.

Living in Grace

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Immense and free

"He left His Father’s throne above— 

So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!" - Charles Wesley (And can it be?)

These words from this well known hymn are packed with pictures of God incredible love and grace. The more you read the words the more they overwhelm you with gratitude. Jesus emptied himself of everything so that we would be the recipients of God's treasures. 

God is constantly seeking us out. God wants to find us - and not so that he can reprimand us, but to cover us with his immense mercy.

Exodus 33:19 - The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.

Living in Grace

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Let earth and heaven combine

I know we are not supposed to be jealous, especially in this season of giving and love. However, when I read the brilliant words of Charles Wesley, as he sums up the complex theology of the Incarnation with an economy of words, I am a little envious.

Just read this first verse again and note how he manages to explain how we all should worship our Immense God, who managed to surrender himself into the form of the Christ-child. It is incomprehensible. It is truly miraculous.

1. Let earth and heaven combine,
      Angels and men agree,
   To praise in songs Divine
      The' incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made man.

2. He laid His glory by,
      He wrapp'd Him in our clay,
   Unmark'd by human eye
      The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel's name.

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn around 1745 and it is another ‘hit’ alongside his thousands (over 6000) of songs and hymns. Not bad for a guy who was born the 18^th child of Susanna and Samuel Wesley on the 18^th December 1707. He certainly didn’t let his family status prevent him from glorifying his Saviour. Charles was 80 years old when he died in 1788.

Let us not make excuses this year, as to why we can’t worship Jesus. May our voices join with those in heaven, and on earth, as we proclaim Jesus as our Immanuel.

Living in Grace

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Charles Wesley is often overlooked in favour of his more illustrious brother, John. However, we should not ignore the huge impact that he made on the corporate worship on the English Church of the 18^th Century. Initially his hymns, poems and songs were made famous in England, but later on they gained international prestige as Christians took the catchy tunes all over the world.

The first printed version of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus was found in a collection of Hymns that Charles put together for Advent in 1744. Therefore it is very likely that he wrote the words a while before this date. The lyrics remind us of two pivotal events in the Christian experience – the First Coming of Christ (Jesus’ birth) and his Second Coming. Wesley often used his songs to help the ‘ordinary person’ understand theology in a simpler way.

It is thought that Wesley may have taken some inspiration from many Old Testament passages which referred to the promise of freedom for the oppressed. The Lord (Messiah) was spoken of as Israel’s consolation.

Another unlikely source of inspiration may have come from Blaise Pascal, who is often quoted as arguing: "There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person that cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.” If you read the last line of verse 1, you will see the connection to this point.

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

I am grateful that Jesus has already come to offer us freedom, consolation and strength. We are certainly going through so many times of trial at the moment and it reassures me to know that my King reigns and will rule in my heart.

Living in Grace

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Missing Fellowship

I am missing the fellowship of meeting together as believers. I think that this week has just been one of those moments where the reality of not 'being together' has begun to hit home. On the one hand, I am truly grateful for what modern technology gives to us, especially in times like Covid-19, but on the other hand, I am acutely aware of what it lacks in many other areas. 

There is a lovely Hymn that speaks of the gift of worshipping together and as I offer you these words, may you know that we are still united in the Presence of Jesus Christ. I hope that when we eventually get back together in a worship venue, that beauty of that moment will never be taken for granted again!

"All praise to our redeeming Lord,
who joins us by his grace,
and bids us, each to each restored,
together seek his face.

He bids us build each other up;
and gathered into one,
to our high calling’s glorious hope,
we hand in hand go on.

The gift which he on one bestows
we all delight to prove;
the grace through every vessel flows,
in purest streams of love.

Even now we think and speak the same,
and cordially agree;
concentered all, through Jesus’ name,
in perfect harmony.

We all partake the joy of one,
the common peace we feel,
a peace to sensual minds unknown,
a joy unspeakable.

And if our fellowship below
in Jesus be so sweet,
What height of rapture shall we know
When round his throne we meet." - Charles Wesley

What do you miss the most about 'Church Life' at the moment?

Living in Grace

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The Sun of righteousness

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty." - Malachi 4:2-3

The phrase 'sun of righteousness'  can only refer to the coming of the Messiah - Jesus Christ. In an age when pagan gods where considered to 'shine' and have 'wings' perhaps Malachi is using these words to reveal the superiority of the coming Messiah. Whatever his motivations, it is a lovely image to think of the 'Son's Rays' reaching out to each one of us. 

When we sing the great Christmas Hymn 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' this year, let us pause at verse 3 and remember that these significant lines point to Jesus:

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings (Charles Wesley)

May we experience the love and healing of Christ this Christmas time. Grace and Peace.


Living in Grace
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