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Question 8
John Wesley is quoted as saying easy-believism can make people “infinitely more afraid of the works of God than the works of the devil”; where have you seen that fear in yourself or in church life (in preaching, discipleship, accountability, evangelism), and what does it do to holiness over time?
Another way to ask: Where have you seen Christians fear doing God’s works more than they fear sin—in preaching, discipleship, accountability, or evangelism? What happens to holiness over time when that fear takes over?

Direct Answer Bercot and Wesley argue that easy-believism produces fear of holiness and “good works,” making Christians suspicious of personal righteousness while tolerating real sin more easily. Over time, that fear crowds out holiness because believers stop aiming at obedience and treat it as a threat to faith.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot describes an evangelical environment where talking about “good works” made people ask, “is this person really saved?”
  • He says Protestants often teach obedience “plays no role” and that thinking it matters can “endanger your salvation.”
  • Wesley’s quote: the doctrine “leaves no place for holiness” and makes people “afraid of personal holiness…fear that any step toward holiness might be a denial of the faith.”
  • Wesley: instead of being “zealous for good works,” works become “a stench,” and people become “more afraid of the works of God than the works of the devil.”
  • Bercot calls this “how far we have gotten from the gospel of Jesus Christ,” contrasting it with early Christians who emphasized works.
Discussion Follow-ups In your church culture, what kinds of obedience get labeled “legalism,” and what sins get treated as less alarming than zeal for holiness?

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