You may be as orthodox as the devil and as wicked

You may be as orthodox as the devil and as wicked

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was a man who was deeply committed to his faith and to spreading the message of Christianity. He was known for his strict adherence to orthodox Christian beliefs and his dedication to living a life of piety and holiness. However, despite his outward appearance of righteousness, Wesley was not immune to criticism and controversy.

The quote “You may be as orthodox as the devil and as wicked” is often attributed to Wesley, and it speaks to the idea that outward displays of religious orthodoxy do not necessarily reflect the true state of a person’s heart. In other words, one can profess all the right beliefs and follow all the rules of religion, but still be morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt.

Wesley himself was keenly aware of the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. He believed that true faith was not just a matter of intellectual assent to certain doctrines, but a transformation of the heart and a commitment to living a life of love and service to others. He famously said, “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 long as ever you can.”

Wesley’s emphasis on the importance of good works and social justice was a reflection of his belief that true faith should be evidenced by a life of compassion and mercy. He was deeply committed to helping the poor and marginalized, and he believed that the gospel message should be lived out in practical ways.