Humbly Speaking

The other week in Sunday School, a story was used as an illustration of Paul and Apollos being co-laborers for Jesus, and not competitors. Paul was the one who had “planted,” while Apollos had “watered.” The Scripture was from 1 Corinthians 3, beginning at verse 10: “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it.”

The story told in Sunday School was about John Wesley and George Whitfield. Most of us will be very familiar with the name of John Wesley who was an English theologian and evangelist who was a principal leader of a revival movement with the Church of England known as Methodism.

George Whitfield was a Church of England evangelist who, by his popular preaching, stimulated the 18^th century Protestant revival throughout Britain and in the British American colonies. These two men of God were at the forefront as leaders of England’s Evangelical Revival in the 1700’s.

Yet there was a great conflict between them. Wesley held strongly Arminian beliefs (emphasizing free will), while Whitfield was a Calvinist (emphasizing predestination). Both men led countless thousands to faith in Christ, but they were at odds theologically.

In addition to their theological differences, there were some methodological issues as well. Wesley had a number of manifestations that occurred in his meetings, such as people falling out, crying out under conviction, and shaking. Whitfield was uncomfortable with these, and suggested that Wesley was inappropriately encouraging these manifestations

Even though they never came to terms over their theological differences, they eventually learned to respect each other.

One of Whitfield’s followers (who obviously still held great animosity against Wesley) said to Whitfield, “We won’t see John Wesley in the heaven, will we?” Whitfield humbly replied “Yes, you’re right, we won’t see him in heaven. He will be so close to the Throne of God, and we will be so far away, that we won’t be able to see him!”

Can you relate? Putting someone that we disagree with in front of us before God? That really caused me pause. I have been pondering it ever since I heard it. The tendency of human nature, when any type of conflict occurs, is to defend oneself. After all, “every way of a man is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 21:2).

At one point, when Wesley appeared to be near death, Whitfield wrote him and said, “…a radiant throne awaits you, and ere long you will enter into your Master’s joy. Yonder He stands with a massive crown, ready to put it on your head amidst an admiring throng of saints and angels.”

Wesley, though, recovered from his illness, and Whitfield eventually died first. At Whitfield’s request, Wesley preached at three memorial services held for Whitfield in London. Wesley spoke lovingly and respectfully of Whitfield and said, “There are many doctrines of a less essential nature with regard to which even the most sincere children of God are and have been divided for many ages. In these we may think and let think; we may ‘agree to disagree.’”

We are all in this walk of faith together. All of us have a certain job God has assigned for us to do. One is not more important than the other. We all want Jesus to be known throughout the world, and in our own backyards. Let’s remember this powerful illustration as we work and serve with other Christians. God calls each of us to do the work He’s assigned us.

Remember Whitfield words: “Yes, you’re right, we won’t see him in heaven. He will be so close to the Throne of God, and we will be so far away, that we won’t be able to see him!”

By His Grace . . .

🔆   Most of this article was written by Tony Cooke. His website is: tonycooke.org