Christian Perfection – The Goal of Grace
John Wesley was criticised by some of his theological peers for favouring the doctrine of Christian perfection, or entire sanctification. Some of you might get very sceptical when you hear that word ‘perfect’ used. "Nobody's perfect", you might be saying as you hear this. "If Wesley preached perfection, I want nothing to do with him."
But Wesley's teaching was not what most people think. This is what he wrote in his famous book on the subject, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection: "By Christian perfection, I mean (as I have said again and again) the so loving God and our neighbour as to 'rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks.' He that experiences this is scripturally perfect."
The Biblical Call to Perfection
He's using that word “perfect”, because Jesus Himself used that word. Do you remember, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus saying "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48)? Clearly there is a perfection that is attainable, because Jesus would not have given such a command if nobody could ever do it.
It’s important for us to note that scriptural perfection is not absolute perfection. Certainly, Wesley never taught absolute perfection, or that we could become glorious like God. But he believed that, by God's grace, a person's heart could be cleansed of its tendency to dishonour God. He believed that, by God's grace, a person's heart could be changed from a heart that is forgiven but still inclined to do what it wants and sin, into a heart that earnestly loves God and loves people.
The Urgency of Holiness
For him this was a present possibility – not something that you would grow into slowly over many years, but something that God could gift you with if you asked and believed for it now. In fact, here are some more words of his from that same book A Plain Account of Christian Perfection: "Wherever Christian perfection is not clearly and strongly enforced, the believers grow dead and cold. Nor can this be prevented, but by keeping up in them an hourly expectation of being perfected in love. I say hourly, for to expect it at death is much the same as not expecting it at all."
Yes friends, the Bible calls the followers of Jesus to a holy life – a life of Christian perfection. Not angelic perfection – because we are still human. Not a life of perfect judgement, perfect understanding, perfect performance. no. But we are called to a life of perfect commitment to God, and when we make that total commitment, He is faithful to keep us in a state of holiness by His grace, every hour!
Are you seeking to live a life of Christian perfection? In the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
