John Wesley on Forgiveness (3)

The grace of God herein confirms to us the pardon of our sins, and enables us to leave them. As our bodies are strengthened by bread and wine, so are our souls by these tokens of the body and blood of Christ [consumed at the Eucharist]. This is the food of our souls: This gives strength to perform our duty, and leads us on to perfection. If, therefore, we have any regard for the plain command of Christ, if we desire the pardon of our sins, if we wish for strength to believe, to love and obey God, then we should neglect no opportunity of receiving the Lord’s Supper; then we must never turn our backs on the feast which our Lord has prepared for us. This is the true rule: So often are we to receive [communion] as God gives us opportunity. Whoever, therefore, does not receive, but goes from the holy table, when all things are prepared, either does not understand his duty, or does not care for the divine command of his Saviour, the forgiveness of his sins, the strengthening of his soul, and the refreshing it with the hope of glory.

Sermon 101, The Duty of Communion 7.148

While forgiveness is a grace bestowed on us by God, Wesley also taught that there are things we can do on our side to make us more open to receive God’s grace. Holy communion is an important means of grace by which we receive a sense of forgiveness and are equipped to love and obey the Lord. Reading the Bible daily and regular prayer are other means of grace.