Not Far is Not It ✍️: John Wesley—So Close & Yet So Far
? Proximity is not Possession
Have you ever stood outside a locked door, key in hand—but never turned it?
That’s what it means to be “not far” from the kingdom of God.
Close. At the threshold. Able to describe the door perfectly… but not inside.
That was John Wesley before May 24, 1738.
And it’s a danger for any of us who love Scripture, theology, and church service: proximity is not possession.
? Historical Context: John Wesley’s Early Life
John Wesley was born in 1703, the 15th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley.
Susanna shaped his faith with methodical discipline and deep devotion—so much so that the “methodical” approach of his Oxford group would give rise to the name “Methodists.”
He was brilliant: an Oxford scholar, double professor (Greek and logic), ordained Anglican priest.
He knew his Bible. He taught it. He prayed, fasted, gave, served.
✅ He was very religious.
✅ He was not converted.
As Jesus said to the scribe in Mark 12:34, Wesley was “not far from the kingdom of God.”
⚡ The “Holy Club”: So Close Yet So Far
At Oxford, Wesley and his brother Charles founded the Holy Club, joined by George Whitefield.
They prayed daily, fasted twice weekly, took communion weekly, visited prisoners, taught children, helped the poor.
Wesley thought he was a Christian because he did Christian things.
Yet he later wrote:
“I had even then the faith of a servant, though not that of a son.”
? Cross References:
- Isaiah 29:13 — “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
- 2 Timothy 3:5 — “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”
? A Failed Mission to Georgia
In 1735, Wesley sailed for Georgia to convert Native Americans—but it was a spiritual disaster.
He fought with colleagues. Nearly died of sickness. Made few friends and no converts.
On the return voyage he confessed:
“I went to America to convert the Indians; but oh, who shall convert me?”
Application Question:
✅ Do I mistake religious work for saving faith?
? Seeds of True Faith: The Moravians
Even in failure, God was at work.
During a storm at sea, Wesley was terrified while German Moravian Christians calmly sang hymns.
Their peace haunted him.
In London, he sought them out. They spoke to him of justification by faith alone.
He realized he lacked saving faith.
As he wrote:
“I was clearly convinced of unbelief.”
?️ Cross References:
- Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- John 3:3 — “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
? Aldersgate: Crossing the Threshold
May 24, 1738.
That morning he read Mark 12:34—“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
It pierced him.
That night at Aldersgate Street, listening to Luther’s Preface to Romans, Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed.”
He trusted Christ alone. He passed from death to life.
As Spurgeon put it:
“You may be on the doorstep of the kingdom—yet perish outside it.”
Wesley’s Aldersgate became the dividing line:
Before: Religion without life.
After: Christ in him, the hope of glory.
? Cross References:
- Colossians 1:27 — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
- Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith…”
✝️ So Close & Yet So Far—Our Danger
Wesley’s “life verse” was fitting: spoken to a devout, knowledgeable scribe who still needed to enter.
?️ Application:
- Church attendance ≠ conversion.
- Theology knowledge ≠ new birth.
- Service ≠ salvation.
- Religious heritage ≠ relationship.
As RC Sproul said:
“The single greatest problem in the church today is that people do not know the Word of God.”
But worse: knowing the Word without knowing the Christ it reveals.
✅ So don’t settle for being “not far.”
✅ Don’t just admire the door—enter in.
? Questions for Reflection
- Have I mistaken religious duty for saving faith?
- How would I explain the difference between knowing about Christ and trusting in Christ?
- What signs in my life point to true faith in Him alone?
?️ Takeaway Tasks
1️⃣ Examine your heart—are you “not far” or inside the kingdom? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
2️⃣ Share your testimony with someone this week—especially how you crossed the line from “not far” to faith.
3️⃣ Pray for someone you know who is religious but lost.
? Prayer
“Father, search me and know me. Expose any false assurance in my heart. Don’t let me be satisfied with standing at the threshold. Lead me in, fully trusting Christ alone for salvation. May I know You—not just know about You. And help me to lovingly invite others across that line. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”