John Wesley wrote in “Character of a Methodist” that when we say a person is saved by faith alone: “By salvation he means holiness of heart and life. And this he affirms to spring from true faith alone. … We do not place the the whole of religion (as many do, God knoweth) either in doing no harm, or in doing good, or in using the ordinances of God.”
He wrote here – as elsewhere – that the mark of a Methodist is the love of God shed abroad in his heart and her loving of God with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Are we in danger with our little books about the Three Simple Rules of falling into the error that Wesley seemed to view as beyond the pale? There is such a constant and obvious appeal in faith for systems and practical applications. It is our nature – pragmatic animals that we are – to turn everything into a technology to get us what we want. In the field we build tractors. In the sanctuary, we devise systems of holiness.
I think Wesley’s concern was that we would substitue a part of holiness for all of it. The emphasis in the quote above was on the word “or” repeated in the list. Wesley feared we let ourselves off too easily. We might pick and pluck a few good acts here and there – and who of us can’t point to a few ways in which we collect some of the scraps of holiness – and take great pride in our righteousness?
So, our simple rules are fine if we do not stumble into thinking simple means easy. Simple means without qualification. Do good. Period. Always. In all ways you can. All the time. If you do good in the morning, that does not give you the afternoon off.
And the sheer ridiculousness of that idea is why it can only be done with faith. No one can do it themselves. Indeed, given the small number of the perfect walking around, no one can do it, period.
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
The doctrine of original sin is surely more humbling to man than the opposite: And I know not what honour we can pay to God, if we think man came out of His hands in the condition wherein he is now.
Dear John
Its interesting to note Wesley’s preoccupation with 3 rules. In his sermon on the use of money he urged his reader to Gain all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can. (See my recent blog)
The infrastructure behind achieving these aims is huge and almost behind comprehension. Far be it for me to accuse Wesley of Spin but perhaps reading such maxims with our 21st century eye fails to connect with the context of his era, makes it spin-like. Just look at the debate and the volumes written about the Trinity.
I agree with you that behind simple truths there are often profound principles that need careful consideration. Similarly to your review of the word ‘or’, I’m trying to unpack what he meant in the word ‘all’ in Gain, Save, Give ALL.
Blessings
Paul