How does God develop our sanctification through a deep-life-giving community? Is it possible to perfect our sanctification on our own and in isolation? Through exploring John Wesley’s famous quote about social holiness, we discover the power of community in our journey of sanctification. 

You Can’t Be Sanctified Alone

Do not believe the lie that you can do this on your own. 

When we consider that Scripture speaks to us being developed in His image, we must acknowledge that we cannot be our own source. John 17 tells us that Jesus is praying for us to be “sanctified in the truth.” 

“I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.” Romans 6:19-22

In elementary school, you likely heard the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. It was attributed that the young George, when confronted by his father, admitted, “I cannot tell a lie; I chopped down the cherry tree.” The only problem with that quote is while a fantastic tale of character; it’s not true. That event never happened. 

One of John Wesley’s most famous quotes is also his most misunderstood and mischaracterized. He said, “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” [READ MORE: What is Social Holiness?]

While yes, John Wesley did say this. However, many have misconstrued this statement to believe Wesley was saying that the gospel of Christ is the practice of social justice. And while the two are related, this is not what John Wesley meant at all.

So, what was John Wesley talking about? 

What Did John Wesley Mean By “Social Holiness”

A holy life cannot be lived out or developed in isolation but can only be done in a relationship with other believers. 

In 18th-century England, poverty was widespread and endemic. The nation was on the verge of revolution. Crime abounded, and slavery was widespread and brutal.

In Wesley’s day, while his nation faced significant problems, the Church of England also faced great problems: Church has become something people went to and not something they were. As a result, the people in the Church of England began to resist the message of the gospel rather than embrace the message of the gospel.

From this dark context, God used John Wesley and the early Methodists in birthing multiple pockets of revival that resulted in a spiritual awakening that transformed the nation.

You cannot be developed in isolation. A holy life cannot be developed and lived out apart from a relationship with other believers, which Wesley shared. So likewise, you can’t grow in Christ-likeness or be developed in holiness and sanctification apart from a deep relationship with other believers. 

As Wesley took to preaching outside the walls of the established church, he issued a unique invitation to people.

Rather than sending them immediately into the doors of the established church (which Wesley knew could be damaging to new converts), Wesley invited them into three patterns of invitation to the life-giving communities: societies, classes, and bands. 

Methodist Societies

“Do you desire to flee the coming wrath and be saved from your sins?”

In those days, when entering a society, you were asked this question. The intention was to lovingly stir people, to provoke them to study Scripture to discover their answer. 

As Philippians 2:12 tells us, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” The goal was justification by faith and standing on the foundation that their sins were forgiven in Christ. 

Not unlike today, people of Wesley’s day were baptized in what we now call Moral Therapeutic Deism, which is the vague notion of God that isn’t revealed in Christ but in pursuing our own happiness. [READ MORE: Does God Want Me To Be Happy?]

Class Meeting

Historically, Class Meetings met in smaller groups, around 12 people, and “made sure that every believer was connected to other believers (Methodist Christians) so no one was left out, ignored, or overlooked.” 

This ensured that community among believers was being cultivated and developed. One author said, “They relentlessly focused every individual on the current state of their relationship with God. And they connected people to others who were at different stages of the Christian life.”

In classes, they often asked, “How is it with your soul?” People would share about their ongoings, development, and Scripture interactions. 

In early Methodism, Class Meeting attendance was mandatory. In addition, admittance to the larger Society Meeting required a ticket from a Class Leader, validating one’s faithful participation in a Class Meeting.

The Band Meeting

A band meeting included groups of three to five new converts. Wesley knew new converts were beset with temptations and needed encouragement, an opportunity for growth, and confession. 

“These, therefore, wanted some means of closer union; they wanted to pour out their hearts without reserve, particularly with regard to the sin which did still “easily beset” them and the temptations which were most apt to prevail over them. And they were the more desirous of this when they observed it was the express advice of an inspired writer, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.

In compliance with their desire, I divided them into smaller companies, putting the married or single men and married or single women together.” John Wesley (Works, Chap. 9, pp. 266-67)

John Wesley understood that people tend to hide behind their true selves, which would keep people from flourishing into the gift of sanctification. Moreover, hiding often accompanies behaviors that trigger further shame, such as addictions and compulsive behaviors, harsh criticism, or self-condemnation. 

He knew that if people were not rescued from the shame of their past or current sins, they would not grow in God’s development. 

Exploring Shame & Guilt

Professor Brenae Brown is a Ph.D. researcher that has done some very beneficial work regarding the effect of shame on human beings. She explored how it puts a lid on our lives and diminishes our capacity for flourishing. So let’s explore some distinctions that she’s outlined between guilt and shame. 

In her research, and she’s not necessarily writing from a Christian perspective, she commented that for us to live a life of wholeness that vulnerability is essential to whole living. She said, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity, courage, and change.” This is the key for the lid of the heart to come off. 

Shame is highly correlated with addiction, aggression, violence, suicide, eating disorders, and bullying. She said, “If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow: secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you put the same amount of shame in a Petri dish and douse it with empathy, it can’t survive.”

Why Quality Relationships Matter

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

For many, that verse may bump into your comfort zone. I think the reason is that this hasn’t been part of our Christian journey for most. 

Like many of you reading this, I was taught as a child that fierce independence is somehow virtuous when Biblically, it is not. 

As a young man, I balanced my life like keeping ping pong balls underwater. When a problem arose, I’d move my hand to shove the ping pong back underwater quickly. However, as life became more complex, marriage, family, and church planted, those ping pongs would start to pop up more frequently. When I’d move my hand to adjust one, another on the other side would arise in its place. 

I finally realized I didn’t have the energy to manage life like that. It was a moment of awakening, as we saw in James 5. Yet despite reading that verse countless times, I resisted. It wasn’t until I read a Dallas Willard quote that the truth sank in. 

“The disciple is one who, intent upon becoming Christ-like and so dwelling in his’ faith and practice,’ systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end.” Dallas Willard, The Great Omission

Now, I’m not submitting that I have arrived, but I can say that when I entered a pattern of sitting with a few brothers several times a year, opening our lives to one another, praying, confessing, and modeling Jesus’ grace, it’s been transformative. This is what’s called banded discipleship. 

It’s not the quantity of our relationships that matters most, but the quality of our relationships. 

Wesley noted that Christians are most likely to progress in their Christian walk in community rather than isolation. This is part of God’s restoration of His image. 

Consider the Trinity and the nature of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In a perfect community with one another, they demonstrate the Godhead’s fullness. 

We can’t go anywhere on our own straight; we need the source. We need the presence and power of God in our lives, even to practice this kind of life with one another. Yet, Jesus is praying that we would step into it. 

We’re all aware of the society around us. It’s broken and fragmented. So many relationships fail now, yet many people long for deep, meaningful, and significant relationships but don’t know how to do it. 

Amid a broken world, through Jesus Christ, God created community. God has created a people who can learn to thrive together in a world that’s falling apart—if we are willing to live in it.

What Does It Mean To Be “Saved”

Have you ever thought about the word “saved?” 

Yes, it does mean to be saved from something, and in the context of Scripture, it does mean to be saved from judgment and wrath. However, the root word in Greek for “save” is sozo, which means healed and restored. 

Holy in German is Heilig, which also means healthy; our English word whole, all of one piece, without any hole in it, is the same word.

“Holiness is not an individualistic pursuit. It is corporate and social. Holiness is a gift received by faith from God, who is holy and who makes us holy. Conviction and repentance are necessary preconditions.” Dr. Kevin Watson

Based upon what we see in the revelation of God, you cannot do this alone. 

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16a-c

Holiness is not an individualistic pursuit; it’s a corporate social. This is why our forefather John Wesley said the gospel of Christ knows of no holiness but social holiness.

TL;DR

• Sanctification cannot be achieved alone; it requires relationships with other believers.

• John Wesley’s quote about “social holiness” refers to the need for a holy life to be developed in the community.

• Wesley’s Methodism promoted community through societies, class meetings, and band meetings.

• Shame and guilt hinder personal growth, but vulnerability and confession in a community can lead to healing.

• Quality relationships are more important than quantity, and Christians progress in their walk with God in the community.

• Salvation means being healed and restored, and holiness is a gift received from God in the community.

• The pursuit of holiness is not individualistic but social.

Related Reading

What is Social Holiness? by Rev. Paul Lawler

What is Sanctification by Rev. Paul Lawler

Does God Want Me To Be Happy? by Grant Caldwell