I have not that joy in the Holy Ghost, no settled, lasting joy; nor have I such a peace as excludes the possibility either of fear or doubt.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a struggle with faith and a lack of enduring joy and peace.
In this quote, John Wesley candidly reflects on his internal conflict regarding faith and spiritual joy. He acknowledges the absence of a stable and lasting joy in the Holy Ghost, which often characterizes a strong spiritual experience, and admits that he also does not possess a peace that shields him from fear or doubt. This admission highlights the human nature of grappling with belief, uncertainties, and the quest for spiritual fulfillment.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the challenges of faith, one might reflect on this quote to emphasize the importance of acknowledging doubts.
I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God's creational intentions.
I plainly felt that, had God given me such a retirement with the companion I desired, I should have forgotten the work for which I was born and have set up my rest in this world.
I asked long ago,'What must I do to be saved?' The Scripture answered, 'Keep the commandments, believe, hope, love.' I was early warned against laying, as the Papists do, too much stress on outward works, or on a faith without works, which as it does not include, so it will never lead to true hope or charity.
Prayer is where the action is.
I saw that giving even all my life to God (supposing it possible to do this and go no further) would profit me nothing unless I gave my heart, yea, all my heart, to Him.
In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit, and the merits of His Son. Beware you do not get stuck in the work itself; if you do, it is all lost labor. Nothing short of God can satisfy your soul. Therefore, fix on Him in all, through all, and above all...Remember also to use all means as means-as ordained, not for their own sake.
I cannot think that we are useless or God would not have created us. There is one God looking down on us all. We are all the children of one God. The sun, the darkness, the winds are all listening to what we have to say.
On this narrow planet, we have only the choice between two unknown worlds. One of them tempts us - ah! what a dream, to live in that! - the other stifles us at the first breath.
I want to make clear only that words are not the things spoken about, and that there is no such thing as an object in absolute isolation.
So, to say Barack Obama is progress is saying that he's the first black person that is qualified to be president. That's not black progress. That's white progress.
All service ranks the same with God,- With God, whose puppets, best and worst, Are we: there is no last nor first.
For myself I think that one wrong does not right the other, and forgiveness cannot be won with useless tears or alms to the Church.
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