Wesleyan Readings (#6): Gods Purpose for Humanity

WORSHIP LEADER: We believe that the two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, summarize the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures.[1]

CONGREGATION: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. 22:37-39)

WORSHIP LEADER: They are the perfect measure and norm of human duty, both for the ordering and directing of families and nations, and all other social bodies, and for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all persons as created by Him, equal in all natural rights.[2]

CONGREGATION:  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:16-17)

WORSHIP LEADER: Therefore, all persons should so order all their individual, social and political acts as to give to God entire and absolute obedience, and to assure to all the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to promote the fulfillment of each in the possession and exercise of such rights.[3]

CONGREGATION: For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col. 1:19-20)

WORSHIP LEADER: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc. 12:13)

CONGREGATION: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

EVERYONE: Amen

[1]  Wesleyan Discipline, Articles of Religion, Article 6, Paragraph 220.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.