“Do no harm.” A rule so simple a young child can understand it, yet so profound it could change the world. In 1744 John Wesley preached about Scriptural Christianity at Oxford University. Wesley described the initial response to Christ, after salvation, as, “Do no harm.” Bishop Rueben Job reintroduces this rule in his book, Three Simple Rules, “Do no harm,” being the first of the three rules.

Before we are tempted to dismiss this simple little rule, we should consider its track record. John Wesley first offered the rules to the Methodists in England, in response to their question, “How are we to live?”. About the same time Wesley managed to get himself barred from every “respectable” pulpit in England. Yet his Methodists grew in number and spread across England and into the new world. These Methodists so impacted the culture and society of England that education, prisons, and hospitals were reformed. And shortly after Wesley's death, slavery was abolished.

These Methodists were different. It was not enough to observe religious rituals or believe right doctrines. Their practice of faith was practical, tangible, and day to day. John Wesley captured the difference in three concise rules, the first of which is, “Do no harm.” So effective were the Methodists in living out their faith, that less than 300 years after Wesley's revival started, 70,000,000 people world wide trace their spiritual heritage to John Wesley.

What does it mean for us personally? If we live by this rule, “Do no harm,” it will change what we say, when we hold our tongue, how we interact with our children, spouses, friends, coworkers and even adversaries. “I can no longer diminish those who do not agree with me. . .” Imagine how that would change the current political climate or how it would change your own relationships. Several groups around McCabe have worked their way through these rules. How might we change and how might McCabe change if we picked up these rules? I don't know about you, but for the months ahead my growing point is to live by this simple rule, “Do no harm.” You’re invited along for the journey.

If you would like a copy of the book, contact the church office.

Pastor Gary
<///><