The Final Word: Engaged, or Not?

The Bible literally ends this way:

The grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ
be with all the holy ones. Amen.

—Revelation 22:21  

We are to engage in the means of grace, not just be passive recipients of this divine gift. We sailed right over that yesterday.

How in the world are we to engage in the means of grace? From the same source as yesterday [http://www.umc.org/how-we-serve/the-wesleyan-means-of-grace] —

As we look at the means of grace today, they can be divided into works of piety and the works of mercy.

Works of Piety

Individual Practices – reading, meditating and studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, regularly attending worship, healthy living, and sharing our faith with others

Communal Practices – regularly share in the sacraments, Christian conferencing (accountability to one another), and Bible study

Works of Mercy

Individual Practices – doing good works, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, and giving generously to the needs of others

Communal Practices – seeking justice, ending oppression and discrimination (for instance Wesley challenged Methodists to end slavery), and addressing the needs of the poor

— So that’s how we how in the world we are to engage in the means of grace.

Are we?

Don’t answer too quickly.

Hope to see you back here tomorrow.