Wesley's Three General Rules
In 1739 John Wesley gave his societies three simple rules. They have remained foundational to Methodist discipleship ever since: do no harm, do good, and attend upon all the ordinances of God (the means of grace). Simple enough for a child to remember. Strong enough to shape a life. These ten passages anchor each rule.
What Scripture says
All quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
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Romans 13:10
Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
Do no harm. Love's most basic obligation: do not damage your neighbor.
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Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Do no harm with the tongue. Wesley's rule extends to speech.
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James 3:9-10
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
The tongue is one of Wesley's test cases for "doing no harm."
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Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Do good. Wesley's second rule, stated almost verbatim in this verse.
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Hebrews 13:16
But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Doing good and sharing — sacrifices God notices.
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Titus 3:8
This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
Believers should be CAREFUL to maintain good works. Intentional, not accidental.
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Matthew 5:16
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Good works as witness. Wesley's social holiness has an evangelistic dimension.
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Acts 2:42
They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
Attend the ordinances of God — Wesley's third rule. Word, fellowship, sacrament, prayer.
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Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
Faithful attendance at worship is not an extra — it is essential.
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1 Timothy 4:7-8
But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
Train yourself in godliness. The means of grace are spiritual exercise.
A prayer
Lord, give me the grace to do no harm — even when I am tempted, even when I could get away with it, even when others around me harm freely. Give me the grace to do good — actively, sacrificially, consistently. Give me the grace to attend Your means of grace — to be present where You promise to meet Your people. Amen.