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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wesley criticizes the church for recruiting people who were already polished and rigid before being spiritually cleansed.
In plain terms
The church attracted already rigid, superficial members.
What can you take from it?
Beware of institutions that value form over genuine transformation.

Where it applies

  • religious critique
  • organizational analysis
  • personal faith journey

Putting it to work

  • evaluate church culture
  • seek authentic community
  • challenge superficial practices

Questions to consider

  • How does superficiality affect spiritual growth?
  • What signs indicate genuine transformation in a community?

Another view

Some may argue structure provides stability and identity.

More from John Wesley

  1. God buries his workmen, but carries on his work.

    Permalink to quote #33
  2. You may be as orthodox as the devil and as wicked.

    Permalink to quote #32
  3. Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As …

    Permalink to quote #31

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