The Character of the Perfect Christian: Wesley’s Vision and the Abiding Fulfillment
The Perfect One indwelling imperfect people: what Wesley longed for, Christ now lives in His own.
By Rooted in Christ Journal
Scripture:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” — Philippians 3:12
Introduction
In the mid-1700s, John Wesley sought to describe the heart of one completely devoted to God.
He called it “The Character of a Methodist,” though he clarified that this was not a description of sect or denomination, but of the true Christian—one whose heart is aflame with divine love.
Wesley’s longing was not for perfectionism or human flawlessness, but for perfect love—a heart wholly yielded to God.
This post presents two renderings of that vision: first, a modern English adaptation of Wesley’s tract, preserving his original passion; second, a Christ-centered reinterpretation from an abiding-life perspective, where every attribute flows not from self-effort but from Christ expressing His life through the believer.
Both are offered as devotional meditations to be read slowly, prayerfully, and with gratitude to the Perfect One who indwells His people.
Part I: The Character of a Perfect Christian
(Modern English rendering of John Wesley’s “Character of a Methodist”)
A true Christian is one who loves the Lord their God with all their heart, all their soul, all their mind, and all their strength. God Himself is the joy of their heart and the desire of their soul. Their constant cry is, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth I desire besides You.” God is their all in all—“the strength of their heart and their portion forever.”
Because of this, they are deeply and continually happy in God—possessing a fountain of living water within, springing up to eternal life and overflowing their soul with peace and joy. Perfect love has cast out fear; therefore, they rejoice always. Their joy is full, and their whole being cries out, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has given me new birth into a living hope and an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for me.”
This living hope fills them with gratitude. In everything, they give thanks, knowing that whatever happens is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning them. Whatever comes—ease or pain, health or sickness, life or death—they say from the heart, “Good is the will of the Lord.” They bless His name whether He gives or takes away. Their whole being is entrusted to Him, body and soul alike, into the hands of a faithful Creator.
Because of this trust, they are anxious for nothing. They have cast all their cares upon Him who cares for them. In every circumstance, after making their requests known to God with thanksgiving, they rest in Him.
They pray without ceasing, for the language of their heart is always directed toward God: “Unto You, O Lord, is my soul lifted up.” Even when silent, their heart communes with Him. Nothing can interrupt this inward fellowship—neither people nor circumstances. Whether alone or in company, in work or rest, their heart remains with the Lord. When they lie down or rise up, God is in all their thoughts. They walk with Him continually, seeing the Invisible One and keeping the eye of their soul fixed on His love.
Because they love God, they love their neighbor as themselves. They love every person as their own soul, including their enemies—even those who oppose God. If they cannot actively do good to those who hate them, they still pray for them, even when rejected or mistreated.
Their heart is pure, for love has cleansed it from envy, bitterness, and anger. Every unkind temper has been removed. Pride, which leads to contention, has been put away. Instead, they wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. There is no longer any ground for strife, for they desire nothing that others can take from them. They love not the world or the things of the world; all their desire is toward God and the remembrance of His name.
This singular desire gives shape to their life: to do not their own will, but the will of the One who sent them. Their only aim is to please God, not themselves. Their eye is single, and therefore their whole being is filled with light. God reigns alone in their heart. Every motion within them is directed toward Him. Every thought is brought into obedience to Christ.
And the fruit proves the tree. Because they love God, they keep His commandments—not some or most, but all, both great and small. They are not content to keep the law in part and offend in one point. Their conscience is clear toward God and toward others. Whatever God forbids, they avoid; whatever He commands, they gladly do. Now that their heart has been set free, they run in the way of His commandments with joy. To do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven is their daily delight and crown.
All of God’s commandments they keep with all their strength, for their obedience flows from love. Loving God with all their heart, they serve Him with all their might. Their life is a continual offering—a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. They hold nothing back but devote all they are and have to His glory. Every gift, ability, and faculty they possess is employed according to their Master’s will.
Therefore, whatever they do is to the glory of God. In every task—whether work or rest, prayer or play—they aim for one end: that Christ be glorified. Whether sitting at home or walking by the way, lying down or rising up, they pursue this one thing: to honor God and promote peace and goodwill among people. Their unchanging rule is this: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The customs of the world do not hinder them in running the race set before them. They cannot lay up treasures on earth, for their treasure is in heaven. They cannot speak evil of their neighbor, for love guards their lips. They will not utter an unkind or idle word; no corrupt speech leaves their mouth, for they speak only what is useful to build up and give grace to the hearers. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or worthy of praise—they think on these things, speak of these things, and live these things, adorning the doctrine of God their Savior in all things.
Part II: The Character of the Perfect Christian
Wesley’s description reveals the character of one whose heart is fully governed by divine love—the outward fruit of a life yielded to God. Yet what he longed to describe as the goal of Christian perfection is, in truth, the believer’s identity in Christ. The attributes he portrayed—love, purity, peace, humility, gratitude—are not human attainments to be achieved, but divine expressions of the indwelling Christ.
The version that follows begins where Wesley’s vision ends: not with a perfected self, but with the Perfect One living His own life through a surrendered spirit, renewing the soul, and expressing Himself through the body. It is the same beauty Wesley saw, now rooted in union with the Life Himself.
(Christ expressing His life through the believer)
A perfect Christian is not one who has refined the self-life, but one who has exchanged it.
Through the cross, the old man has been crucified,
and through the resurrection, the spirit has been made alive and joined to the Lord.
From this union His life flows—quietly governing the heart, renewing the soul, and directing the body.
Every motion begins in Him and returns to Him.
Christ Himself dwells in the believer’s spirit.
From that inner sanctuary His love rises, turning the heart toward the Father.
The soul—mind, will, and emotions—comes into harmony with that love,
so that the believer no longer tries to love God but simply participates in the Son’s own affection for His Father.
Peace and joy follow.
They do not spring from discipline or circumstance,
but from the Spirit’s overflow through the soul.
Fear melts away as the heart rests in perfect love.
Joy becomes the quiet echo of Christ’s own rejoicing within.
Gratitude fills all seasons.
The spirit trusts the Father completely,
and the heart agrees—Your will is good.
The soul learns thanksgiving in everything,
for every path has been arranged by the One who lives within.
Prayer becomes breath.
The indwelling Spirit whispers, Abba, Father,
and the heart responds in unbroken fellowship.
Whether at rest or in motion, in solitude or among others,
the believer abides; the heart trusts; the soul communes; the body serves.
Love flows outward.
The compassion that once moved Jesus to forgive His enemies now moves through His vessel.
It intercedes, blesses, and serves without calculation.
The believer does not strain to be kind;
it is Christ loving through a yielded humanity.
Purity takes root.
The holiness of the indwelling Christ cleanses the heart and renews the soul.
Pride yields to humility, anger to gentleness, resentment to mercy.
The self-life loses its strength where the heart consents to the cross
and the soul bows beneath the Spirit’s quiet rule.
The will of God becomes the single aim.
From the spirit outward, the heart fixes its gaze upon Him,
the mind is renewed, the will agrees, the emotions settle, and the body obeys.
Obedience is no longer duty; it is delight—
the life of Jesus animating the whole person.
Because the root is holy, the fruit is holy.
The commands of God are fulfilled by the life of God within:
“I will cause you to walk in My statutes.”
Desire and power flow together;
the body carries out what the spirit initiates.
The believer offers the body as a living sacrifice—
not to become holy, but because the Holy One inhabits him.
Thought, word, and deed become instruments of His righteousness.
Nothing is withheld; all is available for His ongoing ministry.
In every task—working, resting, speaking, eating—
one intention remains: the Son glorifying the Father through a yielded vessel.
Ordinary moments become worship,
for the motion of life now begins in God and ends in God.
The heart treasures Christ above all.
The soul refuses bitterness and idle words.
The body acts with gentleness and truth.
Thoughts dwell on what is pure and lovely;
choices aim at what edifies;
emotions are stilled in His peace.
This is not withdrawal from the world but participation in the mind of Christ,
made visible through a whole person.
And this is perfection in the Christian sense:
not human maturity polished by effort,
but the fullness of Christ manifest through union.
The spirit joined to His Spirit,
the heart resting in His love,
the soul renewed to His likeness,
the body offered for His glory.
We do not strive to become like Jesus;
we yield for Jesus to be Himself in us.
Every virtue is His—
every good work His expression—
every glory His alone.
Reflection: From Striving to Indwelling
Wesley’s description was not a ladder to climb but a longing for love so complete that fear is cast out.
His heart cried for what humanity could never achieve—and heaven’s answer was Christ Himself.
What Wesley yearned for, the believer now possesses through union with the Lord Jesus:
the Spirit joined to His Spirit, the heart resting in His love, the soul renewed to His likeness, and the body offered for His glory.
This is the “perfection of love”—not the refinement of effort, but the manifestation of the Perfect One who lives within.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, I thank You that what was once longed for is now fulfilled in Your Son.
I rest in the indwelling Christ, who is my wisdom, my peace, my joy, and my holiness.
May His life flow freely through my spirit, renew my soul, and express itself through every thought and action.
Not I, but Christ—living His life in me.
Amen.