JW, after Aldersgate: Set Free for….

Steve Seamands is a former seminary professor with much wisdom to share (highlights mine)—

An important aspect of John Wesley’s May 24 Aldersgate experience is often overlooked.

“About a quarter before nine. . . I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

This part of Wesley’s account of his Aldersgate experience often gets quoted.

But I am struck by what Wesley says immediately after that:

“I began to pray with all my might

for those who had in a more especial manner

despitefully used me and persecuted me.”

Isn’t it amazing how the Holy Spirit which “strangely warmed” his heart immediately thrusts him out of himself towards others, and he finds himself praying “with all my might” for his enemies!

And doesn’t Holy Spirit always do that when he truly comes—move us beyond ourselves toward others.

That’s why we so desperately need the Spirit to come—so we can be set free for others.