Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 5:1-5
We read this passage as a call to shepherding with humility and justice, reflecting the leadership model of Jesus who came to serve, not to be served. In 1 Peter 5:1-5, we see an exhortation to elders to lead not by compulsion but willingly, not for selfish gain but eagerly, and not as lording over
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-17
We read this passage as a call to embody the virtues of Christ within our community, virtues that have sustained us through the trials of history. As God's chosen people, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, reflecting the liberating love that God
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Hebrews 13:1-6
We read Hebrews 13:1-6 as a call to embody the beloved community, living out the radical hospitality and justice that mark us as followers of Christ. This passage challenges us to let brotherly love continue, which in our tradition means standing together in solidarity, fighting against the forces t
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Isaiah 1:10-17
We read Isaiah 1:10-17 as a prophetic call to justice and sincere worship. The passage condemns empty religious rituals disconnected from the pursuit of justice, reminding us that God is not pleased with worship that ignores the plight of the oppressed. We see in this text a divine mandate to align
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:43-48
We read Matthew 5:43-48 as a call to radical love that echoes God's deliverance and justice. This is a love that extends even to our enemies, reflecting the unconditional love God has shown us. In the Black Church Tradition, this passage is not a call to passive acceptance of injustice but a powerfu
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:1-6
We read this passage as a call to live out the commandment of love as a true reflection of our relationship with Jesus. In the Black Church Tradition, we see 1 John 2:1-6 as a mandate for both personal holiness and communal solidarity. The text speaks directly to our lived experience of struggle and
Evening Prayer: Gentleness - Prayer
As evening falls and the world begins to quiet, we find ourselves drawn into a sacred space where gentleness envelops us—much like the gentle embrace of a parent cradling a child. Psalm 23 reminds us that “The Lord is my...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Revelation 3:14-22
We read this passage as a call to awaken from spiritual complacency and engage in transformative action. Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea resonates with our own experience of needing to move from lukewarm acceptance of injustice to fervent advocacy for God's kingdom of justice and righteousn
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Ruth 2:1-23
We read Ruth 2:1-23 as a story of God's providential care and redemption, where God's invisible hand guides the lives of the marginalized. Ruth, a Moabite woman, represents those on the fringes, whom society often overlooks. Her loyalty and faithfulness are met by Boaz's kindness and the community's
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Ruth 4:1-12
We read Ruth 4:1-12 as a powerful narrative of redemption that reflects God's ongoing work of deliverance and restoration. In this passage, we see Boaz, as a kinsman-redeemer, embodying the steadfast love and justice of God—a God who acts in history to restore dignity and community to those who are
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:28-3:3
We read this passage as a powerful affirmation of our identity as the children of God, rooted in love and manifest in righteousness. The text calls us to abide in Christ, anticipating His return with confidence and not shame. This is not just a future hope but a present reality, where our lived expe
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Ruth 1:1-5
We read Ruth 1:1-5 as a story that resonates with our own history of migration, survival, and resilience. Just as Elimelech's family leaves Bethlehem due to famine, our ancestors were often forced to leave their homes in search of survival and hope. This passage speaks to the reality of displacement
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We read this passage as a profound declaration that without love, all spiritual gifts and acts of sacrifice are empty. In the Black Church Tradition, love is not an abstract concept but a lived experience rooted in the struggle for freedom and justice. Love is the force that binds us as a community
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Galatians 3:19-29
We read this passage in Galatians as a testimony to the radical inclusivity and unity that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul speaks to a community of believers who are struggling with divisions and legalistic boundaries. We see Paul's declaration that 'there is neither Jew nor Gr
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of the Spirit)
We read Galatians 5:22-23 as a call to embody the fruits of the Spirit within our struggle for liberation and justice. These virtues are not passive qualities but active forces of transformation in both personal and communal life. In our tradition, love, joy, and peace are not just spiritual ideals
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Philippians 4:6-7 (Do Not Be Anxious)
We read Philippians 4:6-7 as a call to bring our anxieties and struggles to God through prayer, knowing that the God who delivered our ancestors from slavery is still active in delivering us today. This passage is a reminder that, in the midst of oppression and systemic injustice, we are invited to
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Proverbs 31:8-9 (Speak Up for the Voiceless)
We read Proverbs 31:8-9 as a clarion call to prophetic witness and social justice, a divine mandate to speak up for the voiceless and defend the rights of those oppressed. This passage resonates deeply within our tradition as it echoes God's own heart for justice, as seen in His deliverance of Israe
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37
We read the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a profound call to embody God's justice and love in a world rife with division and oppression. We see ourselves in the marginalized Samaritan, who acts out of compassion and breaks societal barriers to live out the commandment of love. This passage is a c
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Isaiah 58:6-7 (True Fasting)
We read Isaiah 58:6-7 as a clarion call to a true fast that aligns with God's liberating work. This passage demands action — to loose the chains of injustice and to break every yoke — reflecting God's heart for deliverance and freedom. We see in this text a divine mandate to care for the oppressed a
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 19:1-6
We read Psalm 19:1-6 as a testament to the liberating and revealing nature of God's creation. The heavens declare the glory of God, and this is a glory that speaks of freedom and divine justice. In a world where systems of oppression often try to silence the truth, creation itself cries out and bear
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Colossians 1:15-20
We read Colossians 1:15-20 as a powerful proclamation of Christ's supremacy over all creation and his role as the liberator of both the oppressed and the cosmos. This passage affirms that Jesus, the image of the invisible God, is not only the creator but the redeemer who reconciles all things throug
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: James 1:19-27
We read James 1:19-27 as a call to embody the liberating Word of God in both speech and action. This passage challenges us to be 'doers of the word,' emphasizing that true religion is not just about personal piety but about justice and care for the oppressed. It calls us to listen deeply and speak t
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:18-4:1
We read this passage in Colossians as a call to embody the beloved community, where relationships are rooted in mutual respect and love, not domination. The directive to 'submit' and 'love' is understood in the context of liberation and mutual care — a stark contrast to oppressive systems that have
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:8-11
We read Psalm 46:8-11 as a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and a call to witness God's deliverance for the oppressed. This passage is a reminder that the God who made desolations on the earth is the same God who takes down systems of oppression, breaks the chains of injustice, and brings p