You may know that you have received him
You may all be living witnesses of these things, of remission of sins, and of the gift of the Holy Ghost. If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Who among you is there who fears the Lord, and yet walks on in darkness, and has no light?
I ask you, in the name of Jesus, do you believe that his arm is not shortened at all? That he is still mighty to save? That he is the same yesterday, today, and forever? That he has now power on earth to forgive sins?
Son, be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven. God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you. Receive this, not as the word of man, but as it is, indeed, the word of God, and you are justified freely through faith. You shall be sanctified also through faith which is in Jesus, and shall set to your seal, even yours, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Men and brothers, let me speak freely to you, and bear with the word of exhortation, even from one who is the least esteemed in the church. Your conscience bears you witness in the Holy Ghost that these things are so, if you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
This experimental knowledge, the knowledge you have tasted for yourself, and this alone, is true Christianity. He is a Christian who has received the Spirit of Christ. He is not a Christian who has not received him. Neither is it possible to have received him and not know it.
For in that day, when he comes, our Lord says, you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. John 14:20. This is that Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him, neither knows him. But you know him, for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
1771 text
5. Ye may all be living witnesses of these things: of remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Who among you is there, that feareth the Lord, and yet walketh on in darkness, and hath no light? I ask thee in the name of Jesus, believest thou that his arm is not shortned at all? That he is still mighty to save? That he is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever? That he hath now power, on earth to forgive sins? Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven. God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven thee. Receive this, not as the word of man; but as it is, indeed, the word of God; and thou art justified freely through faith. Thou shalt be sanctified also through faith which is in Jesus, and shalt set to thy seal, even thine, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
6. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you; and suffer ye the word of exhortation, even from one the least esteemed in the church. Your conscience beareth you witness in the Holy Ghost, that these things are so, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. This experimental knowledge, and this alone, is true Christianity. He is a Christian, who hath received the Spirit of Christ. He is not a Christian, who hath not received him. Neither is it possible to have received him and not know it. For at that day (when he cometh, saith our Lord) ye shall know, that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. This is that Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 3 in the 1771 Works. Charles Wesley preached it at Oxford, 4 April 1742. Ephesians 5:14.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.