Is it possible to accept God’s grace and still remain in your old way of life? Many religious traditions promise exactly that. But the Bible paints a different, much clearer picture: Salvation is more than forgiveness— it transforms your life. This text explores what true Christian living looks like when the Gospel is taken seriously. By John Wesley (co-founder of the Methodists)

Reading time: 14 minutes

Without holiness, no one will see the LORD—behold God’s face in His glory (Hebrews 12:14). Nothing is more certain than this, for God Himself has said it. And even if heaven and earth were to pass away, His words would still stand.

Only those who live with God today will one day live with God. Only those who begin to reflect God’s nature here on earth will one day be able to rejoice in His glory in heaven.

Only those who are already set free from the power of sin can be spared from its final judgment. No one will experience God’s kingdom in heaven who does not already carry God’s kingdom here in their heart.

Anyone who wants to reign with Jesus one day must let Jesus reign over their life today. They need the same attitude that Jesus had (Philippians 2:5). Then, step by step, they will learn to live as Jesus lived.

The Pagan Way Out

This is an irrefutable truth. The Bible teaches it clearly and unequivocally—from beginning to end. And yet there is hardly any other truth of God that is disputed so frequently.

Even some wise pagans recognized back then: God is pleased only with a pure, sincere, and holy heart. Theoretically, they could hardly deny this. In practice, however, they sought a way around it.

And they found one.

They convinced themselves that outward things would suffice: rituals, ceremonies, religious observances, great deeds, heroism, and cultural achievements.

All of this was meant to replace what was lacking within.

Thus, the famous Romans promised a happy afterlife not only to good and virtuous people, but to almost everyone. Anyone who fought bravely for their country, wrote significant poems, or made useful inventions was supposed to be able to earn their place in heaven that way.

The Catholic Solution

The later Romans did not simply adopt these pagan ideas. They banned many of them. Yet at the same time, they found another way to supposedly reach heaven without true holiness:

Indulgences. Pilgrimages. The veneration of saints and angels. Above all, however, the Mass for the Dead and priestly absolution.

These religious practices brought people peace of mind just as the purification rites of the pagans had done in the past.

And to this day, thousands believe that whoever conscientiously practices such religious rituals will one day be able to see the Lord in glory, even without having lived a holy life.

The Protestant Solution

Yet for many Protestants, these Catholic paths are not enough. For them, such a hope is no more substantial than a spider’s web. Whoever relies on it is leaning on a broken reed.

But what alternative remains, then?

How can people hope to see God if they lack holiness?

Many answer this way: You must not harm anyone. You should do good. Go to church. Participate in the Lord’s Supper.

Thousands, in turn, are satisfied with this. They believe they are on the sure path to heaven.

The Problem with a Superficial Faith

Yet many realize: Even this does not bring true peace. Ultimately, they see in it nothing more than the papacy of Protestantism.

For of course, everyone knows: A Christian should earnestly keep away from evil. He should make use of God’s grace in every situation. And do as much good as possible for others.

But a person can do all of that—and still remain a pagan at heart.

That is why they see that such a faith often remains superficial. It has no depth. No genuine spiritual life.

For being a Christian is, above all, a matter of the heart.

It means worshiping God “in spirit and in truth.”
It means that “the kingdom of God is within you.”
It means having the same mindset “as Christ Jesus had.”
It means “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (John 4:24; Luke 17:21; Philippians 2:5 [Elberfelder]; Romans 14:17).

The True Foundation

They also recognize something else:

Even a life of faith that seems profound will not endure if the foundation is wrong.

For “no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

That is why they are convinced: A person is justified by faith alone. Through faith—and not through one’s own works. For only to “the one who believes in the One who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

The Masterpiece of Deception

So what recourse does the dark power have left?

What can it do when the great truth reaches more and more people: “For by grace you have been saved—through faith”? (Ephesians 2:8)

How can this truth be rendered ineffective?

There is only one way: by deceiving precisely those who have accepted this truth. Thus, God’s grace is suddenly misused to justify a life of debauchery (Jude 1:4).

“Jesus Has Done It All”

That is why we often hear today that Jesus has done everything and suffered everything. His righteousness is credited to us. Therefore, people no longer need their own righteousness.

Because all holiness is already perfectly present in Jesus, it no longer needs to arise in the believer’s heart. And anyone who nevertheless longs for genuine holiness or strives for it is supposedly already in danger of rejecting Jesus.

For—so they say—from beginning to end, the entire work of salvation takes place exclusively in Christ and not at all in man.

Anyone who teaches otherwise is immediately considered legalistic—someone who has not understood the Gospel.

An Attack on the Root of True Piety

Yet this is precisely a blow against the root of all holiness and every true religion. Thus, Jesus is wounded “in the house of his friends” (Zechariah 13:6)—and specifically by those who claim most loudly to love him.

For the very purpose of his death was, after all, “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). But this teaching does exactly the opposite.

Where this teaching prevails

Where this idea is enthusiastically embraced, there is hardly any room left for true holiness. It destroys it root and branch. It rips every desire for change from the heart. Every striving for purity. Every hunger for a holy life.

Even exhortations to holiness become suspect. Moreover, people begin to fear even striving for holiness at all. For they certainly do not want to “lose their faith” or supposedly “reject the righteousness of Jesus.”

The Strange Twist

And so something strange happens: Instead of being “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14), people suddenly fear good works almost more than evil works.

People warn more strongly against “works righteousness” than against worldliness, pride, or sin. The “works of God” (Psalm 66:5) inspire more fear than the “works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

Satan’s Masterpiece

This is indeed a masterpiece of deception. Satan can hardly go any further.

People consider themselves holy, even though there is not a trace of true holiness in their hearts. They feel “holy in Christ,” even though their inner selves remain unchanged. They believe they are in Christ, even though the mind of Jesus is scarcely visible in their lives.
They describe themselves as “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10), even though pride, vanity, greed, and unbridled passions still rule their hearts.

And therein lies the deception: they believe they need nothing more. They may remain unrighteous—because Jesus has already fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).

Longing for Freedom

“How long will you simple-minded people remain simple-minded?” (Proverbs 1:22)
And further: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived!” (1 Corinthians 6:9)

The Mask of Seduction

Many today present themselves under seemingly good pretenses. They say: Jesus must be exalted. An argument that impresses many. For Jesus is precious to them (1 Peter 2:7).

Yet the Bible remains clear

As surely as the Lord lives:
“No one who is sexually immoral, no one who puts anything before God, no adulterer, no one who is driven by lust and engages in homosexual acts will have a place in God’s kingdom; nor any thief, extortioner, drunkard, slanderer, or robber.”

And yet: Change is possible

And then comes the crucial sentence: “And such were some of you.” That is in the past. But now the truth is: “But you have been washed clean, you have been sanctified, you have been made righteous through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11 HFA/LUT)

More Than Just Imputed

This transformation is real. It’s not just a legal status. A person isn’t merely regarded as righteous. They are actually transformed. They are “made righteous” (Romans 5:19 SLT).

True Freedom

“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free”—truly free—“from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

That is freedom.

Not freedom from God’s standards.
But freedom from the power of sin.
And from the works of the evil one.

Standing Firm in True Freedom

Therefore:
Stand firm in this freedom. Not in an imagined freedom, but in the real freedom to which Jesus has set you free.

For it is dangerous to let yourselves be yoked again to the yoke of sin—by those who put on airs but in truth lead you back into bondage (Galatians 5:1).

When Life Remains Unchanged

Jesus is of no use to those who consciously remain in sin. For if Jesus does not save us from sin, He is not our Savior. A faith that does not purify the heart is worthless.

The Serious Warning

When will we finally understand this? Anyone who resists inner or outer holiness—under the pretext of exalting Jesus—is essentially repeating the role of Judas. He betrays the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48).

Therefore, repentance is necessary. Otherwise, the sharp word that comes from his mouth will strike you (Revelation 1:16; Matthew 24:51).

The Far-Reaching Consequences of Downplaying the Issue

Anyone who opposes Jesus and thereby misunderstands His work is opposing the very purpose of His coming. He crucifies the Son of God anew and makes Him a mockery once more (Hebrews 6:6).

Anyone who believes they can stand before God through Jesus’ righteousness without holiness fails to recognize the gravity of the blood of the covenant (Hebrews 10:29). And they also draw others into this deception.

A Serious End

Woe to the one who lives this way. For if even the one who dies in his sins without calling upon Jesus meets a terrible end—how much more severely must it befall the one who makes Jesus himself a servant of sin? (Galatians 2:17)

The end of such a path is grave.

The Reversal of the Good News

Excuse me?
Is Jesus supposed to destroy his own kingdom?
Is Jesus supposed to become Satan’s tool?
Is he supposed to be pitted against holiness?
Is he supposed to save people—but leave them in sin?
That would be no less absurd than claiming: He frees us from guilt, but not from the power of sin.

A Dangerous Reinterpretation

Do we want to turn Jesus’ righteousness into a cloak under which injustice can continue to exist? Are people of every kind supposed to enter the Kingdom of God this way?

Stop. We must ask ourselves this seriously. What is actually happening here?

Who has deceived you?

“You were running so well—who held you back?” (Galatians 5:7)
“Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)
“Who has led your minds astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ?” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

A Reminder of the Original Gospel

You knew, after all: “Whoever believes is born of God.”
And:
“Whoever is born of God does not sin—for God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:1, 18)

Back to the Beginning

Therefore: Repent. Return to the pure, original Gospel. Return to Jesus, who died to create a holy people—a people “eager to do good works” (Titus 2:14). “Remember where you have fallen from. Repent. And do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)

Faith without life?

God is at work.
Still.
“My Father is working to this very day.” (John 5:17)
Therefore: Faith without the fruit of a life lived out remains empty.
“Do you want to know, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:20)
And further: Even the greatest faith without love is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2).

The Serious Misunderstanding

Do we really want to overlook the fact that Jesus’ blood and His righteousness do not mitigate the judgment, but rather intensify it, if our lives do not reflect His mindset? If we do not think as Christ did (Philippians 2:5) and do not live as He lived (1 John 2:6)

Warning Against False Teaching

Anyone who teaches otherwise strays from the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ. Such people are not profound—but empty, puffed up, and driven by strife. From them arise envy, quarreling, suspicions, and endless conflicts (1 Timothy 6:3–5).

Do Not Fear Holiness

Therefore: Let us not be afraid of being encouraged toward holiness. Whether inwardly or outwardly—it serves the truth. It glorifies the Father. And it exalts the Son.

The Crucial Focus

Let’s not be too quick to call this “legalistic.” For the real question is not whether we are under the law—but under which law we are: that of sin or that of freedom (Romans 7:25).

The Best Sermon

Therefore: Let us love the clear, honest sermon. The one that shows us where we are not like Jesus. And that at the same time calls us to love him more.
With all our heart.
With all our strength.
With our whole life.

What Can I Do?

I’d like to warn against another misconception. Never say, “There’s nothing I can do.” Because if that were true, then we would know nothing about Jesus. Then we would have no faith.

With Jesus, possibilities open up

When we believe, this is true: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me—Christ.” (Philippians 4:13, Lut unrev.) This is not a theory. This is reality.

Obedience is not impossible

We can love Him.
We can keep His commandments.

For “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

For the believer, they are not a burden. They are a joy.

Love is shown in our lives

Let us show Jesus our love—by doing what He says.
By keeping His commandments. And by remaining in His ways (Luke 1:6).

Honor, Trust, Discipleship

Let us honor Jesus by being faithful to him—with complete devotion. Let us glorify him by becoming like him. Let us cling to him by following his ways.

Trust Means: Letting God Work

Let us place our trust in Him, that He may live and reign in us. That He may fulfill His promises. That He may strengthen what is good in us and powerfully work the work of faith within us (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Profound Transformation

Let us cling to Jesus—until He transforms us from within, until pride, anger, and evil desires are purified.

Jesus works within us

Let’s let Him work. He has done everything for us. Now let Him do everything within us as well.

The True Gospel

Let us exalt Jesus as the One who not only forgives but also transforms. As the One who not only forgives sin but also gives a new heart—and a new spirit (Psalm 51:12).

The Good News

This is the Gospel. The genuine, pure, joyful message of salvation.
Not a new Gospel. But the old, eternal Gospel. Not the Gospel of human tricks. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Inner Strength

And so we pray: That God may strengthen us through His Spirit in our inner being. That Jesus may dwell in our hearts through faith.
That we may be founded and firmly rooted in love.

The Fullness of God

Then we can comprehend what is otherwise incomprehensible:
How wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of Christ is. And we realize: This love surpasses all knowledge. So that we may be filled—with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16–19).

Abridged and linguistically adapted from: John Wesley, *The Works of John Wesley*, ed. Jackson, London 1872, vol. 10, chap. 25, pp. 364–69.