The Methodist Rule of Life
October 03, 2022
JOHN WESLEY MOMENTS
DAVE HANSON
The Methodist Rule of Life
“Do you know our rule? Will You keep it?” The Methodist Rule as defined in our Discipline is: “1- Do no harm… 2- Do good… 3- Observe our Ordinances (Worship, Bible Study, Prayer, Fasting, and Holy Communion.” Every Methodist pastor at their ordination answered this question. Every Methodist should also answer this question.
John Wesley believed this rule was the very foundation of the world’s religion. He encouraged us all to follow this rule.
However, in his “Sermon on the Mount” he points out that this rule is only the world’s religion. It is what we as humans can and should do in our quest for God. True, spiritual religion is far more that this important rule. True religion is an inner experience of fellowship with the Living Lord which expresses itself in loving God with all our heart, mind, body and soul, and our neighbors as ourselves. Our Methodist Rule is a means to that spiritual end.
The Rev. Dave Hanson is a retired pastor and John Wesley scholar.
