Engage the Scriptures, part 4.

He wrote a letter to you and me.

Lemme get outa the way —

O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not: what is tedious at first, will afterwards be pleasant.

Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a petty, superficial preacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer.

— That’s John Wesley in a letter he wrote to us on August 17, 1760.

Okay, so he addressed it to a John Pembroth.

I first encounted those words as a college student.

It still speaks to me…how about you?

Quick Review of my September 2020 Sunday blogs (a “Month of Sundays”) and a Self-Inventory from David F. Watson through Daniel Griswold: —

How should Christians engage the scriptures?

(1) Read everyday,

(2) Read the whole Bible, not just the pieces you like, &

(3) Listen to the wisdom of other believers – from today and the early church, avail yourselves of the wisdom of the church.

— And sliding Mr. Wesley’s letter out of the envelope one more time: Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a petty, superficial preacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer.