A Wideness in God's mercy

'Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation, He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:34-35

Aldersgate Day, which falls on the 24 May every year, is celebrated by Methodists the world over commemorating John Wesley's great assurance of salvation and the love of God - his heart-warming experience.

This year, 2023, the Methodist Church in Singapore's Aldersgate Theme is 'Love God by Loving your Religious Neighbour.' Why the additional adjective, religious?

There were times when Christians have gone to war with other Christians. And there were times when Christians have gone to war with people of other faiths. Just as Christians were persecuted in early church history, Christians in turn have persecuted people of other faiths including the Jews.

Why the intolerance when clearly Jesus taught us not only to love our neighbours but also our enemies? I suspect that this year's Singapore Aldersgate theme is a warning against intolerance of other religions and to encourage greater mutual respect and cooperation among the various world religions. This interfaith awareness and sensitivity is especially crucial when living in a multi-religious and multi-racial society such as in Singapore. 

Interfaith dialogue promotes understanding and mutual respect between the diverse faiths and need not intend to foster unity and full acceptance of each other's belief. It is simply meant to promote better relations among the races like we used to have when we lived in villages and 'kampongs.'

Historically and today there are generally two common positions Christians take in their acceptance of the different world religions:

• Exclusivism. This approach takes the view that there is salvation only for Christians, that is those who have by faith confess Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. Historically it is the position of Catholicism and Protestantism and is expressed by the Catholic dogma, 'Outside the Church, no salvation' or in Latin, 'extra ecclesiam nulla salus.' This same imperative generally spurred the 18th and 19 Century Protestant missionary movements.

'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

• Inclusivism. This approach takes the view that although salvation is brought about by the atoning work of Christ, it is nevertheless available  in principle to all. Devout and good people, 'religious neighbours' of different faiths may without knowing it be included in the universal scope of Christ's salvation. They are anonymous Christians. The narrative in Acts Chapter 10 suggests that the centurion, Cornelius was right before God prior to his conversion and before he accepted Peter's teaching and received the Holy Spirit.

'One day at about three in the afternoon, he (Cornelius) had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord? he asked. The angel answered, "your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." Acts 10:4

 "Then Peter began to speak: "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right." Acts 10: 34-35

John Wesley wrote on his notes on the Book of Acts, "He that first reverences God as great, wise, good, the cause, end and governor of all things well, and secondly from this awful regard to Him, not only avoids all known evil, but endeavours according to the best light he has, to do all things well; is accepted of God - through Christ, though he knows Christ not. The assertion is express, and admits no exception. He is in the favour of God, whether enjoying His written word and ordinances or not." 

Despite his relentless preaching of the Gospel, it seems to me, that John Wesley did not assume that the good religious person is already condemned but in his words, 'is accepted of God, through Christ, though he knows Christ not.'

Jesus in His ministry on earth, broke all racial, cultural and religious barriers set up by the self-righteous Jews. He reached out to the

• Samaritans - John 4:4-7
• Romans - Luke 7:1-10
• Canaanites - Matthew 15:21-28
• Decapolis, Syria - Mark 7:31-37

In His life on earth, Jesus bridged the gap with people of many faith. He spoke out against the jaundiced views of the religious leaders of the times.

Whichever our position, Exclusivism or Inclusivism, we should not restrict God's mercy nor limit it. It is entirely God's prerogative to forgive and save sinners. The Lord will judge and dispense justice, it is not for us to make the call. 

There is a hymn, 'There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy' which celebrates the expense of God’s love mercy–'like the wideness of the sea.' This hymn was written by Frederick William Faber a Catholic priest who converted to Catholicism from his original Anglican faith. He is known for composing the more familiar hymn, 'Faith of Our Fathers.' 

This hymn declares God’s welcome for the sinner and the good person alike. It tells us not to allow our finite minds to limit God's infinite love and mercy. It reminds us that 'the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind.'

In our dealings with our religious but non-Christian neighbours let us broaden the measure of our own love so that it might be more like God’s love. 

 

There's a wideness in God's mercy,

like the wideness of the sea;

there's a kindness in his justice

which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth's sorrows

are more felt than up in heaven:

there is no place where earth's failings

have such gracious judgement given.

For the love of God is broader

than the measure of our mind;

and the heart of the eternal

is most wonderfully kind.

But we make His love too narrow

By false limits of our own

And we magnify His strictness

With a zeal He will not own

There is plentiful redemption

through the blood that Christ has shed;

there is joy for all the members

in the sorrows of the head.

There is grace enough for thousands

Of new worlds as great as this

There is room for fresh creations

In the upper home of bliss

If our love were but more simple,

we should take Him at His word;

and our lives would be illumined,

In the joy of Christ our Lord.

Frederick William Faber said, “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.”

Lionel

Inspired by the Aldersgate sermons of

Bishop (Dr) Gordon Wong, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore

Rev Lui Yuan Tze, Pastor, Charis Methodist Church Singapore