280 years ago, on this day, the founder of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley felt a tug at his heart which led him to describe in his journal that his heart was strangely warmed.
That description detailed this experience as
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 incident is quite contrary to what we see and hear in our modern times, as to how the confidence and courage to proclaim the Gospel comes from one's strong conviction in CHRIST, Our Lord. A Priest, a man full of zeal at that, comes to a point where he is weak at his knees and realises that he is shaky in his faith for which he had dedicated his whole life for . It's a calm assurance that the salvation experience is a REALIZATION that comes to anyone when life and faith seemingly ebb away. It's one thing to BELIEVE but it's totally another one to FEEL what we've heard and believed all our lives.
Let's thank God for the Aldersgate experience that brought in revival in the UK and in America.
This coming Sunday, is celebrated as the ALDERSGATE SUNDAY, across all Methodist Churches globally.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
