Mission: The Works of Mercy

Most simply defined, "works of mercy" are "doing good." John Wesley believed that "means of grace," include both "works of piety" (instituted means of grace) and "works of mercy" (prudential means of grace). He preached that Christians must do both works of piety and works of mercy in order to move on toward Christian perfection.

Wesley taught that people must be Christians in both word and deed, which were to express the love of God. He believed that Christians must grow in God's grace, which first prepares us for belief, then accepts us when we respond to God in faith, and sustains us as we do good works and participate in God's mission. John Wesley not only preached about works of mercy, he "practiced" what he preached. For example, he:

• lived modestly and gave all he could to help people who were poor
• visited people in prison and provided spiritual guidance, food, and clothing to them
• spoke out against slavery and forbade it in Methodism
• founded schools at the Foundery in London, Bristol, and Newcastle
• published books, pamphlets, and magazines for the education and spiritual edification of people
• taught and wrote about good health practices and even dispensed medicine from his chapels

Wesley believed that Christians could not have authentic personal holiness without social holiness.

For Further Study

• Letter to William Wilberforce
  Wesley's last letter before his death denouncing slavery
• "The Means of Grace"
  A Sermon by John Wesley on this topic and the "works of piety" and "mercy."
• Sermon on the Mount, II
  A sermon by John Wesley that explores the meaning of "Blessed are the merciful."
• Sermon on the Mount, III
  A sermon by John Wesley that explores the meaning of love of God, neighbor, and self.
• Thoughts Upon Slavery by John Wesley
  A tract that John Wesley circulated widely in England and the colonies denouncing slavery