Scriptural Christianity – Modern John Wesley

Preached at St. Mary’s, Oxford, before the university, August 24, 1744.

“Whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning—if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.” (Ezekiel 33:4, Berean Standard Bible)

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 4:31, BSB)

The same expression appears in the second chapter of Acts: “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them”—so that people from many nations “heard them speaking in their own languages about the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:1–6, BSB).
In Acts 4 we read that after the apostles and other believers prayed and praised God, “the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31, BSB). We are not told there was any visible sign this time, as there was before; nor are we told that the extraordinary gifts—healing, working other miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, speaking various tongues, and interpreting tongues—were given then to all or even to any (1 Corinthians 12:9–10).
Whether those extraordinary gifts were meant to remain in the church through all ages, or whether they will return as we draw nearer to the “restoration of all things,” is not necessary to decide here. What is necessary to observe is this: even in the church’s earliest days, God gave such gifts sparingly. Were all prophets? Were all miracle-workers? Did all have gifts of healing? Did all speak in tongues? Certainly not. Perhaps not one in a thousand; probably only some of the teachers (see 1 Corinthians 12:28–30). Therefore it was for a better, more excellent purpose that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The purpose was to give them what all Christians in all ages must have: the mind of Christ—those holy fruits of the Spirit without which none belong to Him; to fill them with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,” with faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; to enable them to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires and, because of that inward change, to fulfill all outward righteousness; to “walk as Christ walked,” in “the work of faith, the labor of love, and the endurance of hope” (Galatians 5:22–24; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, BSB).
So, without chasing curious questions about the extraordinary gifts, let us look closely at the ordinary fruits of the Spirit, which we are assured remain in every age—that great work of God among people which we call “Christianity.” Not as a set of opinions, but as it concerns the heart and life. We will consider this Christianity in three stages:

I. As it begins in individuals;
II. As it spreads from person to person;
III. As it covers the earth.
I will close with a plain, practical application.

First, consider Christianity in its rise: in a single person.
Suppose someone heard Peter preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins, felt pierced to the heart, was convinced of sin, repented, and then believed in Jesus. By this God-given faith—“the assurance of what we hope for and the conviction of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, BSB)—he or she instantly received “the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15, BSB). Now for the first time this person could truly say, “Jesus is Lord,” by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3, BSB), for “the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16, BSB). Now he or she could say, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, BSB).
This is the essence of faith: a God-worked conviction of the Father’s love through His beloved Son toward me, a sinner now accepted in the Beloved. “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1, BSB)—indeed, the peace of God ruling in the heart, a peace beyond our understanding, guarding the heart and mind through the knowledge of the One believed in (cf. Philippians 4:7). Therefore this believer is not afraid of bad news; the heart is steady, trusting in the Lord. He or she does not fear what people can do, knowing even the hairs of the head are numbered. Nor is there fear of the powers of darkness, whom God is daily putting under our feet. Least of all is there fear of death; rather, there is a desire “to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23, BSB), who “by His death destroyed him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14–15, BSB).
So the soul magnifies the Lord, and the spirit rejoices in God the Savior (Luke 1:46-47, BSB). He or she rejoices “with joy inexpressible” in the One who has reconciled us to the Father, “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7, BSB). The believer rejoices in the Spirit’s witness that we are God’s children and, even more, in the hope of God’s glory—the hope of being renewed fully in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness, and of receiving the unfading crown of glory, “an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (cf. 1 Peter 1:4, BSB).
“The love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5, BSB). “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6, BSB). This childlike love grows continually through the inward witness (1 John 5:10) of God’s pardoning love, as we behold “what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1, BSB). Thus God becomes the desire of the eyes and the joy of the heart—our portion in time and eternity.
Whoever loves God must also love his brother or sister—“not with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11, BSB). Indeed, love embraces every human being, for “the LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made” (Psalm 145:9, BSB). So this lover of God cares for all people for God’s sake—even those never met in person; even the “evil and ungrateful;” and least of all are enemies excluded—those who hate, persecute, or insult us for Christ’s sake. These have a special place in our prayers. We love them “as Christ loved us.”
“Love is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4, BSB). It humbles everyone in whom it dwells. Thus the Christian is lowly in heart, small and unworthy in his or her own eyes, seeking no praise from people, only from God. He or she is meek and patient, gentle to all, easy to approach for help. Faithfulness and truth never leave this person; they are like a necklace and are written on the heart (Proverbs 3:3, BSB). By the same Spirit the believer is temperate in all things, like a weaned child at rest (Psalm 131:2, BSB). He or she is “crucified to the world, and the world to” them—above “the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life” (Galatians 6:14; 1 John 2:16, BSB). By almighty love, they are saved from anger and pride, lust and vanity, ambition and greed, and from every temper not found in Christ.
Anyone with this love cannot harm a neighbor. It is impossible to knowingly and deliberately do wrong. The Christian stands far from cruelty and injustice, from every unkind act. With equal care, he or she “sets a guard over the mouth and keeps watch at the door of the lips,” lest sin with the tongue—against justice, mercy, or truth (Psalm 141:3, BSB). All lying and deceit are put away; no guile is found in the mouth. The believer speaks evil of no one; no unkind word leaves the lips.
Deeply aware of Jesus’ word, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, BSB), and of the constant need to be watered by God, the Christian continues daily in God’s ordinances—the appointed channels of grace: in the apostles’ teaching, receiving that food with readiness; in “the breaking of bread,” finding it true communion in the body of Christ; and “in the prayers and praises” of the great congregation (Acts 2:42, BSB). Thus he or she grows in grace, increasing in strength, and in the knowledge and love of God.
But merely avoiding evil does not satisfy. The soul thirsts to do good. The heart says continually, “My Father is working, and I am working.” “My Lord went about doing good; should I not walk in His steps?” (John 5:17; Acts 10:38, BSB). So, as there is opportunity—if no greater good can be done—this person feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, helps the orphan and the stranger, visits and assists the sick and those in prison. He or she gladly gives to the poor, rejoices to labor or suffer for them, and wherever another may be helped, chooses especially to “deny self.” Nothing is counted too dear to part with for their sake, remembering the Lord’s word: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40, BSB).
Such was Christianity at its beginning. Such was a Christian in ancient days. This described all those who, when threatened by the chief priests and elders, “lifted their voices to God with one accord and were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” “The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul.” Love for the One in whom they believed constrained them to love each other. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything in common.” They were thoroughly crucified to the world, and the world to them. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 4:31–32; 2:42, BSB). “Great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them; for those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and it was distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:33–35, BSB).

II.

Next, consider Christianity spreading from one to another, gradually advancing into the world. This was God’s will: He did not “light a lamp to put it under a basket,” but to give light to all in the house. So our Lord told His first disciples, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13–16, BSB).
Picture a few such lovers of humankind seeing “the whole world lying in wickedness.” Could they be unmoved at the misery of those for whom their Lord died? Would their hearts not yearn? Could they stand idle all day, even if there were no command from the One they love? Of course not. They would spare no effort to snatch some souls from the fire, to bring wandering sheep back to the great Shepherd and Overseer of souls (1 Peter 2:25, BSB).
So the early Christians labored, as they had opportunity, “to do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10, BSB). They warned all to flee from the coming wrath—now, now to escape the condemnation of hell. They declared, “God overlooked ignorance in the past, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, BSB). They cried, “Turn, turn from your evil ways, so iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30, BSB). They reasoned of “self-control and righteousness”—the virtues opposed to reigning sins—and of the judgment to come, the sure wrath of God on evildoers when He judges the world (Acts 24:25, BSB).
They spoke to each person as needed. To the careless, lying asleep in darkness and the shadow of death, they thundered, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14, BSB). To those already awakened and groaning under a sense of God’s wrath, they said, “We have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous; He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:1–2, BSB). To those who had believed, they stirred up love and good works, patient continuance in doing good, and growth in that holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14, BSB).
Their labor in the Lord was not in vain. The word ran and was glorified. It grew and prevailed. Yet offenses grew too. The world was offended “because they testified that its works were evil” (John 7:7, BSB). Lovers of pleasure were offended, not only because Christians reproved their thoughts (cf. Wisdom 2:13–16), but more because many companions left them and would no longer plunge into the same excesses (1 Peter 4:4, BSB). People of reputation were offended because, as the gospel spread, their public esteem fell, and some would no longer flatter them or give to people the honor due to God alone. Traders called each other together: “Sirs, you know that our prosperity comes from this business… You see and hear that these men have convinced and turned away a great many people… our trade is in danger of disrepute” (Acts 19:25–27, BSB).
Thus the heavens darkened with clouds, and the storm gathered. The more Christianity spread, the more “harm” it seemed to do in the judgment of its rejecters, and the more numerous were those enraged at the men who “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6, BSB). Many cried, “Away with such people from the earth; it is not fit that they should live,” even thinking they offered service to God by killing them (John 16:2, BSB).
Meanwhile, believers’ names were cast out as evil (Luke 6:22, BSB). This “sect” was “everywhere spoken against” (Acts 28:22, BSB). People said all kinds of evil of them, as they had of the prophets before (Matthew 5:12, BSB). Whatever anyone asserted, others believed; so offenses multiplied like the stars. In due time, persecution arose in all its forms: some suffered shame and reproach; some the seizure of their goods; some endured mockings and scourgings, bonds and imprisonment; others resisted to blood (Hebrews 10:34; 11:36ff., BSB).
Then the pillars of hell were shaken, and God’s kingdom spread further. Sinners were “turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18, BSB). God gave His children “a mouth and wisdom that none of their adversaries could resist” (Luke 21:15, BSB), and their lives matched their words. Above all, their sufferings spoke. They proved themselves God’s servants “in afflictions, hardships, distresses; in beatings, imprisonments, riots; in labors; in perils by sea and wilderness; in weariness, pain, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 6:4ff., BSB). And when, having fought the good fight, they were led like sheep to the slaughter and poured out on the sacrifice and service of their faith, their blood had a voice—“though dead, they still speak” (Hebrews 11:4, BSB).
Thus Christianity spread. But how soon did tares appear with the wheat! How quickly did the mystery of lawlessness work alongside the mystery of godliness! How soon did Satan find a seat even in God’s temple, “until the woman fled into the wilderness,” and the faithful were again diminished among humankind (Psalm 12:1; Micah 7:2; Revelation 12:6, BSB). Here the path is well known: the continuing corruptions of later ages have been often described by witnesses God raised up to show that He built His church on a rock and “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, BSB).

III.

But shall we not yet see greater things? Yes—greater than since the world began. Can Satan make God’s truth fail or His promises void? No. The time will come when Christianity will prevail everywhere and cover the earth. Pause and survey this scene—a Christian world. The prophets searched and inquired about it; the Spirit in them testified: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s house will be established… all nations will stream to it… They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up sword against nation, nor train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:2–4, BSB). “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him… The Lord will… gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth… The wolf will dwell with the lamb… They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:10–12, 6–9, BSB).
So speaks the great apostle in words not yet fulfilled: “Has God rejected His people? Certainly not… Through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles… If their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring… A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:1, 11–12, 25–26, BSB).
Suppose the fullness of time has come and these prophecies are fulfilled. What a sight! All is peace, quietness, and assurance forever. No clamor of arms, no confused noise, no garments rolled in blood. Destruction has come to a perpetual end. Wars have ceased. Nor is there inner strife—no brother against brother, no city or nation tearing itself apart. Civil discord is gone, and none is left to harm a neighbor. There is no oppression to drive even the wise to madness, no extortion to grind the poor, no robbery or injustice—for all are content with what they have. Thus righteousness and peace have kissed each other; they take root and fill the land, righteousness sprouting from the earth and peace looking down from heaven (Psalm 85:10, BSB).
With justice, mercy is also everywhere. The earth is no longer full of cruel dwellings. The Lord has removed the bloodthirsty, the malicious, the envious, and the vengeful. Even if there were provocation, no one returns evil for evil; in truth, no one does evil—no, not one—for all are harmless as doves. Filled with peace and joy in believing and united in one body by one Spirit, they love as brothers and sisters, “of one heart and soul.” “No one says that any of the things he possesses is his own.” None lack, for each loves his neighbor as himself. All walk by one rule: “Whatever you would have others do for you, do the same for them” (Acts 4:32; Matthew 7:12, BSB).
Therefore no unkind word is heard among them—no strife of tongues, no quarrel of any kind, no railing or slander. “The mouth” opens “with wisdom,” and “the teaching of kindness is on the tongue” (Proverbs 31:26, BSB). They are equally incapable of fraud or deceit; love is without hypocrisy. Their words are the plain expression of their thoughts—windows into their breasts—so that any who look within see only love, and God.
Where the Lord Almighty takes His great power and reigns, He subdues all things to Himself, makes every heart overflow with love, and fills every mouth with praise. “Happy are the people who are in such a state; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 144:15, BSB). “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you… You will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness. Violence will no longer be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders; you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise… Your people will all be righteous; they will possess the land forever—the shoot of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified… The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God your glory” (Isaiah 60:1, 16–19, 21, BSB).

IV. Having considered Christianity beginning, growing, and covering the earth, I close with a plain, practical application.

Where does this Christianity exist now? Where do Christians like this live? Which nation is so filled with the Holy Spirit that all are of one heart and soul; none can bear to see a brother or sister lacking anything; all give as any has need; all have God’s love filling their hearts and compelling them to love their neighbors as themselves; all have “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;” none offend, by word or deed, against justice, mercy, or truth; all do to others as they would have others do to them? Can we rightly call any land “Christian” that does not match this? Then let us admit: we have never yet seen a Christian nation on earth.
I beg you, brothers and sisters, by God’s mercies—if you count me mad or foolish, at least bear with me as a fool. Someone must speak very plainly to you. It is especially needful now; who knows if this is the last time? Who knows how soon the righteous Judge may say, “I will no longer be entreated for this people”—that “even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in this land, they would save only themselves”? Do not harden your hearts against a blessing by my hands. Do not say, “You will not persuade us, even if you convince us,” or in effect, “Lord, send by anyone but this man!”
Beloved, I am persuaded of better things. Let me then ask, in tender love and meekness: Is this city a Christian city? Is scriptural Christianity found here? As a community, are we so “filled with the Holy Spirit” that we enjoy in our hearts—and show in our lives—the genuine fruits of the Spirit? Are all magistrates, heads and governors of Colleges and Halls, and their societies (not to mention the townspeople) “of one heart and soul”? Is “the love of God poured out in our hearts”? Are our tempers like His, and are our lives consistent with that? Are we “holy in all conduct” as the One who called us is holy?
Note: no peculiar opinions are at issue here. The question is not about doubtful points, but about the undisputed, fundamental branches of our common Christianity—if any such exist. For decision, I appeal to your conscience, guided by the Word of God. Whoever is not condemned by his or her own heart, let that person go free.
In the fear and in the presence of the great God—before whom you and I will soon appear—I beg you who are in authority over us (whom I honor for your office): consider honestly before God—are you “filled with the Holy Spirit”? Are you living portraits of Him whom you represent among people? “I said, ‘You are gods’”—you magistrates and rulers—by office closely allied to the God of heaven. In your stations you are to show us “the Lord our Governor.” Are all your thoughts, tempers, and desires suitable to your high calling? Are all your words like those that proceed from the mouth of God? Is there in all your actions a dignity and love—a greatness words cannot express—that can flow only from a heart “full of God,” yet still fitting for a human being, “a worm,” the child of mortal dust?
You venerable men, called to form the tender minds of youth, to dispel ignorance and error, and to train them to be wise for salvation—are you “filled with the Holy Spirit,” bearing the fruits your office requires? Is your heart wholly God’s—full of love and zeal to establish His kingdom on earth? Do you constantly remind those in your care that the one rational end of all our studies is to know, love, and serve “the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent”? Do you press upon them that love alone never fails—while tongues will cease and knowledge vanish—and that without love all learning is splendid ignorance and pompous folly? Does all you teach actually lead to love for God and all people for His sake? Is this your aim in what you prescribe about the kind, manner, and measure of their studies—so that, wherever these young soldiers of Christ are sent, they may be burning and shining lights, adorning the gospel in all things? And do you put forth all your strength in this vast work—using every faculty and every talent God has lent you, to the uttermost?
Do not say I speak as though all under your care were to be clergymen. I speak as if all were to be Christians. But what example do we set—Fellows, Students, Scholars—especially those of rank and influence? Do we abound in the Spirit’s fruit: lowliness, self-denial, humility, seriousness, composure, patience, meekness, sobriety, temperance, and tireless efforts to do all kinds of good—to relieve outward needs and to bring souls to the true knowledge and love of God? Is this the general character of Fellows of Colleges? I fear not. Rather, have not pride and haughtiness, impatience and peevishness, sloth and indulgence, gluttony and sensuality, and even a proverbial uselessness been charged against us—perhaps not always by enemies, nor wholly without cause? O that God would roll away this reproach, and its memory perish forever!
Many among us are even more directly dedicated to God, called to minister in holy things. Are we examples “in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, BSB)? Is “Holiness to the LORD” written on our forehead and heart? With what motives did we enter this office? Was it with a single eye to serve God, trusting we were inwardly moved by the Holy Spirit to take this ministry for God’s glory and His people’s edification? Have we clearly resolved, by God’s grace, to give ourselves completely to this office? Do we set aside, as far as we can, all worldly cares and studies? Do we apply ourselves to this one thing, drawing all studies this way? Are we apt to teach—taught of God so we can teach others? Do we know God? Do we know Jesus Christ? Has God revealed His Son in us? Has He made us able ministers of the new covenant? Where then are the “seals of our apostleship”? Who that was dead in sins has been made alive through our word? Do we burn to save souls from death—so much that for their sake we often forget to eat? Do we speak plainly, “by open statement of the truth, commending ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2, BSB)? Are we dead to the world, laying up treasure in heaven? Do we lord it over God’s heritage—or are we the least, servants of all? When we bear Christ’s reproach, does it weigh us down—or do we rejoice? When struck on one cheek, do we resent it—or turn the other also, not resisting the evil but overcoming evil with good? Is our zeal bitter—driving us to sharp, passionate striving with those who stray—or is it the flame of love, guiding all our words with sweetness, humility, and the meekness of wisdom?
One more word: What of the youth of this place? Do you have either the form or the power of godliness? Are you humble, teachable, and willing to be advised—or stubborn, self-willed, headstrong, and proud? Are you obedient to superiors as to parents—or do you despise those to whom you owe reverence? Are you diligent in your easy task—pursuing studies with all your strength? Do you redeem the time, packing as much work into each day as it can hold? Or are you conscious that you waste day after day on reading that has no tendency to Christianity, on gaming, or on who knows what? Are you better stewards of money than of time? Do you, out of principle, “owe no one anything”? Do you “remember the Sabbath day” by spending it in the more immediate worship of God? In His house, do you consider that God is present—behaving “as seeing Him who is invisible”? Do you know how to possess your bodies in sanctification and honor? Are drunkenness and impurity found among you—indeed, among some who glory in their shame? Do many of you take God’s name in vain, perhaps habitually, without remorse or fear? Yes, are not a great many forsworn? I fear a growing multitude. Do not be surprised: before God and this congregation, I confess I was among them—solemnly swearing to observe customs I did not know, and statutes I did not even read then, nor for years after. What is perjury, if not this? If so, what a weight of sin—no common stain—lies upon us! And does not the Most High regard it?
May this be one reason so many of you are a generation of triflers—trifling with God, with one another, and with your own souls? How few spend even an hour a week in private prayer! How few think of God in the regular course of conversation! Who among you knows anything of the Spirit’s work in the soul? Can you bear any talk of the Holy Spirit except occasionally in church? Would you not assume hypocrisy or fanaticism if someone began such a conversation? In the name of the Lord God Almighty, I ask: what religion are you of? You cannot—will not—bear even the talk of Christianity. O my brothers and sisters, what a “Christian” city this is! “It is time for the LORD to act!”
For what likelihood—what possibility, speaking humanly—is there that scriptural Christianity will again be the religion of this place; that all ranks among us will speak and live as people “filled with the Holy Spirit”? Who will restore it—those in authority? Are you convinced this is scriptural Christianity? Do you desire its return? Do you count fortune, liberty, and life not dear to you if only you might help restore it? But suppose you desire this—who has power equal to the task? Perhaps some have tried casually, with little success. Shall Christianity be restored by young, unknown, inconsiderable men? Would you even bear it? Would not some cry, “Young man, you reproach us!” There is little danger you will be tested—iniquity has flooded us. Whom then shall God send—the famine, the pestilence (His last messengers to a guilty land), or the sword, “the armies of alien powers,” to reform us back to our first love? No—“let us fall into the LORD’s hand, not into human hands.” Lord, save, or we perish! Lift us from the mire lest we sink! Help us against our enemies, for human help is vain. With You all things are possible. By Your great power, preserve those appointed to die—and preserve us as You think best; not as we will, but as You will!