going on to perfection

When Methodist ministers are ordained, they are asked a series of historic questions. They are the same questions that John Wesley asked his preachers. By far the most troubling questions are these two, "are you going on to perfection?" and "Do you expect to be made perfect in this lifetime?"

Stop and think about that for a moment. To the way our brains think, this is impossible. They are questions which invite hypocracy since perfection cannot be achieved. Many a young ordinand has answered yes to these questions with their fingers crossed behind their backs.

Robert G. Tuttle, Jr., a United Methodist minister, seminary professor, personal mentor and all round great guy, has a very interesting, very helpful thought on these questions. Tuttle says that what John Wesley meant was this: "do you expect to be made perfect in love?" "Is the intention of your heart, at every moment to be inclined towards love?"

This makes the questions more palatable. They now become thoughts by which we can live.

Are you pursuing a life that is always intent on loving others? Do you ever hurt someone intentionally or is your intent always to share love and do good to others? Is it your intent to pursue a life that is bend on dispensing love?

Its a beautiful day in Gods world, be sure to see the good.