John Wesley’s Three Rules Addressing Sins of Omission

John Wesley’s three simple rules for Christian living—do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God—provide a foundational framework for actively living out faith. These principles address both sins of commission and sins of omission, emphasizing the importance of intentional action as an expression of love for God and neighbor.

The first rule, do no harm, involves more than merely avoiding intentional wrongdoing. It calls for mindfulness regarding sins of omission—failures to act that cause harm by neglect. Neglecting to assist those in need, failing to visit the sick, or ignoring the suffering of others are serious omissions that damage relationships with God and others. The biblical account of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25) vividly illustrates this truth: neglecting to help those in need is a grave sin because it represents a failure to do good, which is integral to loving one’s neighbor and remaining in love with God [42:45].

The second rule, do good, centers on actively engaging in kindness, generosity, and mercy. The early church, as described in Acts 4, exemplifies this principle through believers sharing possessions and resources to meet communal needs. The example of Barnabas selling his land and giving the proceeds demonstrates how doing good flows naturally from faith and trust in God’s provision. This rule encourages believers to seek out opportunities to serve others, reflecting God’s love in tangible ways [44:46].

The third rule, stay in love with God, emphasizes maintaining a close, ongoing relationship with God through prayer, worship, and trust in His goodness. This intimate connection motivates and empowers believers to do good and avoid harm. Jesus’s life exemplifies this rule by living sacrificially and trusting in God’s abundance even amid suffering. Remaining in love with God invites the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to live generously and justly, which lies at the heart of this rule [07:37].

Faith is expressed through action; therefore, doing good is not optional but essential. Sins of omission—failing to act—are as serious as sins of commission. The call to wrestle with questions such as “Is it a sin not to help those suffering in the world?” or “Am I neglecting opportunities to serve?” challenges believers to live intentionally and align their lives with these three simple rules.

Wesley’s three rules combat sins of omission by urging active goodness rooted in love for God. Living according to these principles moves believers beyond merely avoiding wrongdoing toward embodying Christ’s love through generosity, mercy, and faithfulness. This active faith is essential for authentic Christian living, inviting continual reflection on how to live more fully in accordance with these rules each day [40:16], [44:46], [07:37].

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from River Church Media, one of 3 churches in Lakewood, CO