The questions and answers in section 17 are very worth reading and considering. One in particular we should consider is this:
Q: In what manner should we preach sanctification?
A. Scarce at all to those who are not pressing forward: To those who are, always by way of promise…
Sanctification is more fully defined under the question, “Is there any clear Scripture promise of this – that God will save us from all sin?” Sanctification is rooted in the Old Testament. A prominent verse is 1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’” This is a quotation from Leviticus 11:44-45 and Leviticus 19:2. The word “holy” in Leviticus literally means separate from impurity and sin, which is essentially the same as pure and perfect.
We know sanctification, representing purity and perfection, is rooted in the Old Testament through verses such as Genesis 17:1 and Psalm 119:2-3,11.
“Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless.” Genesis 17:1
“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways… Thy word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:2-3,11
We often refer to holy and holiness to mean set apart. This is certainly true, however, we do not often consider from what we are set apart. In Leviticus, set apart means “separate from”, and we are to be separated from impurity and sin. The absence of impurity is pure. We can also define this as unmixed or unblemished. When we realize that sin represents blemish and impurity, only then can we truly understand Christian perfection. We are to be set apart from impurity and set apart unto purity. The absence of impurity is perfection, and in the context of Scripture, we understand it to be Christian perfection.
Holiness in the Old Testament is nothing short of perfection in the heart and motive. Our love for God is to be perfect, and our motive is to be free from sin. In dealing with Christian perfection, John Wesley is chiefly dealing with the heart and motive or intention.
In the question above, Wesley is advocating that we refrain from exhorting unto Christian perfection among those who have no interest in reforming their intentions, or those who have no desire to be separate or free from sin. Ridding ourselves of impurity requires reforming habits, adopting a non-conforming attitude toward sin and the world, obedience to God’s commands, and yielding the heart and life to God.
By default, the human nature is such that we want our independence, and that independence turns into rebellion against God and selfishness. Love for God requires that we put His interests ahead of our own, which requires yielding our own selfishness to God. It is the intention which must be reformed. In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the main. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornication, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
If there is no intention to distance ourselves from evil, then there is no progression unto the holiness of Christian perfection. The heart must be sincere and earnestly desire to attain Christian perfection, which is to love God perfectly with the whole heart and seek only the interests of God. Psalm 119:9-10 When this intention is lacking, Wesley is advocating that we refrain from exhorting such individuals unto Christian perfection.
To those who are earnest in attaining a perfect love for God, Wesley encourages the exhortation unto Christian perfection as a means of promise. In other words, Wesley is encouraging us to inspire hope in those who are earnestly seeking holiness. The problem which will inevitably arise is that we take a fatalistic approach to obedience of God, such that we believe it to be impossible to rid ourselves of all sin and love God perfectly.
Jesus Christ Himself said in Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Then, we read in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Herein lies our hope, in that Christ exhorts us unto perfection and promises that what we need will be added to us when we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first.
The exhortation is followed by a promise. The promise is secured through grace. “For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” John 1:16 “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
Where there is an exhortation and command by God, there is a promise, strength, and grace to enable obedience to the exhortation and command. By this, we know that Christian perfection – purity of heart, perfect intention, and non-conformity to the world and sin – is possible only through the strength and grace of God. We cannot and are not expected to make a go of it under our own strength.
Prayer: Lord, the dirt of the world and attraction to the lusts of the world are all around me. Some days, I feel like achieving Your lofty commands is near impossible. In those moments, show may Your grace and strength. Help me to move forward into Christian perfection and trust that your strength and grace are sufficient. Grant in me a longing today to be obedient to You. Grant my desire for a pure heart, and help me to yield up any strongholds which remain in my heart. Amen.
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