Explanation


I suppose a little explanation is in order. I noted yesterday the Wesleyan (Methodist) teaching of Christian Perfectionism. Here's the deal...

Historically, whenever I have heard the term, "Christian Perfectionism," The thought of "second work of grace" comes to mind. This is a teaching usually associated with the Nazarenes and others of like persuasion. This teaching states that after a person has experienced the first work of grace (salvation) they will at some point experience a second work of grace where they become entirely sanctified and no longer sin. This however is not the teaching of John Wesley.

Wesley's teaching was that the Christian can become "perfect" in how they reflect the love of Christ. I was talking to a UMC (United Methodist Church) minister and he explained it like this - since sin is a choice, you can choose not to sin. Thus, you can become perfect. Admittedly, this is a entirely utopian ideal, however, it does in fact work. What I like about Wesley's teaching is the emphasis on personal choice. Many people treat sin as something that that kind of happens to them. They "fall" into temptation. No, people do not "trip up," they choose to turn another way. I understand the concept that the words in the Bible translated as "sin" has many different variations and ranges of meaning. However, in a general sense, it is a knowing act or thought that is against God. Thus, if you choose sin, you can choose righteousness. Is this not the teaching of sanctification? The closer you get to God, the more capable you are (in Christ) of resisting the Devil and actively choosing the right.
Wesley taught:

"We Secondly believe, that there is no such perfection in this life, as implies an entire deliverance, either from ignorance, or mistake, in things not essential to salvation, or from manifold temptations, or from numberless infirmities, wherewith the corruptible body more or less presses down the soul. We cannot find any ground in Scripture to suppose, that any inhabitant of a house of clay is wholly exempt either from bodily infirmities, or from ignorance of many things;or to imagine any is incapable of mistake, or falling into divers temptations." From: A Short Explanation of Christian Perfectionism By John Wesley

Now, really, I think that the problem is more of terminology than of actual belief. Christian sin, but there is forgiveness in Christ. The goal is to be like Christ - He of course is perfect. Thus perfection is the goal. It is not unattainable. I do not believe God would give us a goal that is not possible - Christ has given us what we need to resist Satan and His wiles. The problem is us, we are weak, we stumble. Let us reach out to God, call out to Him for the help we need to resist the temptations that come our way.

Again Wesley:
"We not only allow, but earnestly contend, that there is no perfection in this life, which implies any dispensation from attending all the ordinances of God, or from doing good unto all men while we have time, though 'especially unto the household of faith.' We believe, that not only the babes in Christ, who have newly found redemption in his blood, but those also who are 'grown up into perfect men,' are indispensably obliged, as often as they have opportunity, 'to eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of Him,' and to 'search the Scriptures;' by fasting, as well as temperance, to 'keep their bodies under, and bring them into subjection;' and, above all, to pour out their souls in prayer, both secretly, and in the great congregation."

Contemporary Interpretation (UMC)
"...Our first conception of it was, It is to have "the mind which was in Christ," and to "walk as He walked;" to have all the mind that was in Him, and always to walk as he walked: In other words, to be inwardly and outwardly devoted to God; all devoted in heart and life. And we have the same conception of it now, without either addition or diminution."

Posted: Fri - March 18, 2005 at 03:52 PM        

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