There were expectations of understanding this topic, the “way of salvation”, and receiving the ability to have clear discussions with others about it. This “way of salvation”, as Wesley calls it, is a not only words and thoughts, but it is a way of life that allows us to progress toward heaven. There is so much more to that process. Understanding the love that God has for each one of us is the main idea of this big word, soteriology. He sent his son, Jesus, to this earth because he loved us so much.
                  This topic of God’s love is not only overwhelming, but it is something that is hard to understand for all of us here on earth. The fact that we were created out of love, and we have such a hard time explaining it and sharing it with others is concerning. Our Western ideals and industrialization have twisted our understanding of love, and it has made it hard for us to imagine that God would do that just for us. So, now the question is how do we share this love with others in our communities like God shared with us? This “way of salvation” is a great start.

This topic has inspired me in so many ways. Not only in my own life, but in the life of those around me. Understanding this process has given me a different perspective of salvation and those that don’t even know what it is and how to move from the commitment to the life in Christ. We, as a church, have begun a new program called “Alpha”. Going through this program will allow us to start at the beginning with our people that don’t have a relationship with Christ to living the life that God created us for. Allowing folks to ask questions and dig in to the “whys” of Christianity is something that has been missing in our churches for a long time. Those that don’t go to church have questions and want to know why they are committing to something that seems so unreachable. That was never God’s intention. It is time for us to bring it down and teach “the way of salvation” just as Wesley suggested in so many of his sermons.

I have learned that these big words like soteriology have pushed people away from trying to understand the depth of the love of God. It was pushing me away and giving me anxious feelings about what this topic was going to be like. The more I dug in, the more I fell more in love with God. It made me turn my eyes toward him in awe and with inspiration more than I ever had before. God’s intention with me was to show me love and allow me to find him in my own way and in my own time. That time is I thought had past, but I believe that through it all, I have come to the conclusion that I am pushing forward. Closer and closer to the feet of Jesus.
                 

Reflecting on the purpose of God's grace invites deep contemplation on the nature of God’s love and its profound impact on our lives. God's grace, often described as undeserved favor, is a central theme in Christianity, embracing the idea that God's love and blessings are not earned through acts but are given freely to all who receive it.

Here are a few things to ponder on the purpose of God’s grace:

1. Redemption and Salvation:

The most obvious purpose of God's grace is redemption. Through grace, humanity is offered forgiveness for sin and the promise of eternal life. Grace is what makes salvation possible, as it is not through works or human effort, but through God's grace that individuals are restored back to Him. This idea is particularly emphasized in verses like Ephesians 2:8-9, which state, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Grace, in this sense, is the means by which we are saved from spiritual death and brought into communion with God.

Song for reflection: See A Victory & Surrounded with Brandon Lake/Elevation Worship- (click to listen)

Image from Outreach Magazine

2. Transformation of the Heart:

Another profound purpose of grace is to transform the human heart. Grace is not just about forgiveness but about the ability to live a new life in Christ. God's grace empowers believers to live differently, to break free from destructive patterns, and to receive and embrace the love, kindness, and mercy of God in their daily lives. This transformation is often referred to as sanctification. The Apostle Paul speaks of this transformation in Titus 2:11-12, where he writes, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Song for reflection: Purify My Heart (Refiner’s Fire)- Jeremy Riddle- (click link to listen)

Image from Heartmath Institute

3. God’s Demonstration of His Love:

Grace is a powerful expression of God's love for humanity. It shows that God’s love is not contingent upon our actions, our worthiness, or our ability to measure up to standards. Rather, it is a love that surpasses our understanding and is available to all, regardless of past mistakes. This can be seen most clearly in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the ultimate act of grace. In Romans 5:8, it is written, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Song for reflection: - Good Grace- Hillsong UNITED (click link to listen)

Image by Vine Christian Centre

4. Encouragement to Extend Grace to Others:

Grace has another purpose. When believers experience God’s grace, they are called to extend that same grace to others. This is not always easy, especially in the face of hurt or injustice, but the purpose of grace is to cultivate a world where forgiveness and mercy are at the forefront. Jesus teaches this in the Lord’s Prayer, where he asks for forgiveness as we forgive others. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus tells Peter that forgiveness is not just a one-time act, but should be repeated seventy-seven times, signifying the endless nature of grace.

Song for reflection:  Grace Upon Grace- Matthew West (click link to listen)

Image from Medium

5. God’s Glory and Honor:

Ultimately, the purpose of God's grace is to bring glory to God. Grace highlights God’s sovereignty, mercy, and goodness. By showing grace to humanity, God reveals His nature, inviting people to worship, honor, and glorify Him. This purpose is evident in the scriptures, such as in Ephesians 1:6, where Paul writes, “to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.”

Song for reflection: I See Grace-Micah Tyler (click link to listen)

Image from Bible Hub

Personal Reflection

For an individual, the purpose of God's grace is often understood personally as a catalyst for growth, healing, and renewed purpose. Recognizing grace as a gift, rather than something earned, helps us walk in humility and gratitude. Reflecting on this, one might ask:

1. How does God’s grace shape my interactions with others?
2.In what areas of my life do I need to more fully embrace the grace God offers?

In conclusion, God's grace is multi-faceted: it redeems, transforms, empowers, and glorifies. It serves as both a gift and a challenge, inviting us to not only receive grace but to become agents of grace in a broken world. Grace, at its core, is a sign of God’s immeasurable love for humanity and His desire for all of us to experience His goodness.

image from Koinos Church

A great place to begin: A devotion to actively engage with the Father and experience God’s love and grace while growing your faith.

A video explanation of what prayer as a means of grace can do for us: Means of Grace (click to watch)
 
Opening Prayer: 
 
Lord, thank you for the grace that you have given to me so freely. I pray that my heart is open to your word and to the message that you would like me to receive. Amen
 
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6: 5-15
 
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10          Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11          Give us this day our daily bread,
12          and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13          And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses[1]

Personal Experience: 
 
There have been a few times where I thought and felt that the Lord was so far away from me. He wasn’t listening and he wasn’t responding to my pleas for needing more of him. I wasn’t sure what to do. I thought I was trying everything. Reading books on how to get closer to him, talking to my mentor and getting guidance, or telling my husband that I felt like he was gone, and all things felt empty. There was something missing in my thinking and in my daily walk. Prayer. Prayer is a way that we talk to the Lord and thank him for all the things that he has done. All the grace that he has given to us that we didn’t deserve. We can’t even try to give it away or turn our back to it. We have already been granted that love and that grace. That same grace that I received before I accepted him into my life remains present as I philander through life thinking that he has gone from me. The knowledge that God’s love and God’s grace is comforting and fills up that empty void that I thought was nothing. I can get down on my knees and sit in his presence as I meditate on that grace and love every day.  Since that time of emptiness, I have learned that prayer is something that keeps me connected with the Father, but it is on me to keep that connection alive and vibrant as I walk this narrow path of life.

Reflection Questions to Ponder:
 
1. How does this passage demonstrate God’s grace being extended through this practice
2. How can you personally deepen your experience of this means of grace in your life?
3. What challenges do you face in consistently engaging with this practice?

Take time to meditate on the passage above or write out a prayer of thanksgiving for the grace that you have received from the Lord.

Listen to this music as you meditate: The Breaking Instrumental (click to listen)

Closing Prayer:
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with the means of grace, like your Word, sacraments, and prayer, through which we can experience your love and receive your grace in our lives. Help us to diligently use these gifts to grow closer to you and live according to your will. Amen.

Inspired by John Wesley:
One of the best ways to understand something is to look at the end game first. When Marvel began their twenty movie and ten year run at the box office everyone knew one thing for sure; the end game. The endgame of the first phase of the Marvel Universe was always going to be a showdown with Thanos. The moment he showed up on the big screen, any Marvel comic book fan knew what the endgame was going to be for the Avengers. As we know, unless you were under a rock the last ten years, Thanos and the Avengers did end up squaring off and the final movie in the phase was called The Endgame.
When thinking about our salvation we can better understand these concepts by understanding what God’s endgame is for his people. If we are to grasp that concept, then we need to start at the end and work our way backwards.
So, what is God’s endgame? God is in the business of restoration. God wants to rid the world of the sin of humanity and the works of the devil. The endgame of God is to restore humanity to its pre-sin state and to do it now in the person who gives him consent.
So where do we start? 
"Salvation is not merely deliverance from hell, but a present delieverance from sin, a restoration of the soul to its primitive health, and a renewal of our souls after the image of God in righteousness and true holiness." -John Wesley
Reflecting on Wesley's understanding of salvation, we embark on a journey of spiritual renewal, focusing on the transformative power of God's grace and the active role we play in our own journey.
Week 1. The Beginning: Salvation, prevenient Grace and the Call to Faith:
Wesley believed in a "prevenient grace" – a grace that precedes our conscious choice, preparing our hearts for God's love and drawing us towards Him.
This grace is the initial spark, a gentle nudge that awakens our souls to the possibility of a deeper relationship with God.
Faith, for Wesley, is the crucial response to this grace.
It's not merely intellectual assent, but a trust in God's love and a willingness to give him everything. It's a new way of seeing the world, perceiving the spiritual realm and recognizing God's presence and power in our lives.
Meditate on your own salvation. If you haven't made that step yet, maybe it is time to lean into the grace that you have already received and allow God to have presence in your heart and to permeate your life.
Song suggestion to Meditate on as you consider these next questions:“Amazing Grace”
Questions to Ponder:
How have you experienced God's prevenient grace in your life? Have you allowed yourself to think about the times that God gave you that grace? What moments have drawn you closer to Him? Reflect on the ways faith has opened your heart and mind to God's love and truth. Then write it down in a journal to come back to on this Way of Salvation journey.
Week 2. Justification: Forgiveness and Acceptance
Justification is the moment of God's forgiveness, where we are declared righteous in His sight through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is a gift of grace, not earned by our own efforts. He just likes us so much that he gives it to us for free. A concept that we don't really understand in this day and time. It's a fundamental shift in our relationship with God, moving from a state of separation to one of reconciliation. We are now not alone in the game towards the finish line.
Wesley emphasized that justification is not just a future event, but a present reality.
It brings immediate peace, joy, and a sense of belonging in God's family. It's a foundational experience that sets us free from guilt and shame.
Song suggestion to meditate to while you ponder the concept of Justification in your journey:
Song: Living Hope- Phil Wickham- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM
Chorus: Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Questions to ponder: Reflect on the freedom that comes with God's forgiveness. Has death lost its grip on you? How has this knowledge impacted your life? How can you continue to experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing you are accepted by God?
Week 3: Sanctification: Growing in Holiness: This is a big word and sounds scary, but there is always more to do on this journey.
Sanctification is the ongoing process of spiritual transformation, where we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to increasingly live in accordance with God's will.
It's a lifelong journey of growth in holiness, where we strive to embody the love of God in our thoughts, words, and actions. He becomes the center of all of our being and nothing else comes out but love and joy.
Wesley emphasized that sanctification is not a passive process, but requires our active participation.
It involves cultivating habits of prayer, Bible study, and service, as well as striving to overcome sin and live in accordance with God's teachings.
Song to meditate while you ponder on Sanctification:
Song: Make Room- Community Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrQuKK6jz-4
Consider: How can you actively participate in the process of sanctification? What areas of your life need further transformation? Are there rooms in your personal house that need to be opened to the Lord? Pray for God's guidance and strength as you seek to grow in holiness.
Week 4: Glorification...We Have Made it to the Endgame!
We have now made it to the Endgame...Glorification!! There is no week of study for this one. If we focus on getting ourselves towards Sanctification, then we will make it to Glory with the Father at the end. Praise the Lord.
Wesley believed that love, especially the love of God and neighbor, is the driving force behind Christian living.
It's the foundation of a truly transformed life, leading us to do good, to care for others, and to live in harmony with God's will. This will ensure that we will make it to the foot of Jesus someday.
Song to meditate on in anticipation for Glorification some day: Bodies- Barry Scott and Second Wind