THE LORD SHALL SUDDENLY COME TO HIS TEMPLE

The wisdom of the fathers

"THE LORD WHOM YOU SEEK SHALL S U D D E N L Y COME TO HIS TEMPLE"

As early as 1749, John Wesley had reached these correct principles on this great subject:

I. Christian Perfection implies deliverance from all sin.

2. It is received merely by faith.

3. It is given INSTANTANEOUSLY, in one moment.

4. We are not to expect it at death, but every moment. "

Inquiring (in 1761) how it was that in all these parts we have so few witnesses of full salvation, I constantly receive one and the same answer: We see now, we sought it by our works; we thought it was to come gradually; we never expected it to come in a moment, by simple faith, in the very same manner as we received justification. What wonder is it, then, that you have been fighting all these years as one that beats the air?"

Again Wesley said: "You may obtain a growing victory over sin from the moment you are justified. But this is not enough. The body of sin, the carnal mind must be destroyed; the old man must be slain, or we can not put on the new man, which is created after God (or which is the image of God) in righteousness and true holiness; and this is DONE IN A MOMENT. To talk of this work being gradual would be nonsense, as much as if we talked of gradual justification".

The truth seems to be this, -- that the conditional preparatory work done in the soul under the guidance of the Spirit may be a process more or less lengthy, according as the seeker after sanctification is more or less receptive and yielding to the Spirit's influence. But when that preparatory work is all completed, and the soul is submissive and open to God, "suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple " -- your heart, your whole being, and fill you with himself and reign there without a rival. "Come in, come in, You heavenly Guest! Nor hence again remove; But sup with me, and let the feast Be everlasting love"

(by John Wesley)