Section 19 is perhaps the most consequential of Wesley’s teaching on Christian perfection. Wesley provides a more concise definition of Christian perfection, which is “(1.) That Christian perfection is that love of God and our neighbour, which implies deliverance from all sin. (2.) That this is received merely by faith. (3.) That it is given instantaneously, in one moment. (4.) That we are to expect it, not at death, but every moment; that now is the accepted time, now is the day of this salvation.”
The one point of disagreement I have with Wesley is that Christian perfection is given instantaneously. I do not believe this is the experience of most people. Perhaps an instantaneous perfection should be our desire, however, it does not seem to be the practice. No doubt, Christian perfection begins in an instant, however, it is not ordinarily completed instantaneously, if ever.
It is from this definition that some claim to be entirely sanctified in a moment. I believe the problem in seeking an instantaneous work is that we can too easily become complacent in the notion that we have received something we do not yet have. I also believe that Christian perfection is the result of spiritual maturity, and maturity stems from continual growth. Anything we receive instantaneously we are most likely unprepared for and too immature to handle it. Wesley does address this somewhat in questions 24 and 25 of Section 25.
On the other hand, Wesley holds to perfection by faith, namely, that we are made perfect in Christ through faith. We may argue that not receiving an instantaneous work is indicative of unbelief, doubt, or weak faith. If this be true, let us not discourage those who earnestly seek to attain Christian perfection but do not yet have the assurance in their hearts. We must continue seeking and not lose heart.
In Section 19, we learn from Wesley that Christian perfection is that state of the heart as it concerns our motives and intentions toward God and fellow humanity. It does not consist in avoidance of ignorance or mistake. That said, a lapse in judgment or a momentary mistake may lead to confrontation with sin. For that reason, we must ever and always be vigilant about places we go, things we do, and ideas we entertain, for we cannot always conceive of the outcomes.
When my children were little, we were starting a long trip and took a busy road that connects Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike in Ft. Pierce, Florida. It was dark, as I recall, and the road is crowded with businesses. For some reason, I needed to stop because something had fallen onto the floor or between the seats. I was trying to be careful which parking lot I pulled into. I noticed an adult store coming up, and I wanted to avoid the parking lot. I mistakenly chose the wrong entrance and ended up in their parking lot anyway.
This was a simple mistake. The sin would have been had I lingered and chosen to go into the store.
The question presented strikes me as a claim that Christian perfection is the result of works: “ But still, if they live without sin, does not this exclude the necessity of a Mediator? At least, is it not plain that they stand no longer in need of Christ in his priestly office?” Wesley addresses this with Christ’s command in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” Christian perfection is impossible apart from abiding in Christ.
As Wesley expounds on the questions and answers in Section 19, we see the emphasis on perfection or purity of intentions and motives. This is the meaning behind voluntary and involuntary transgressions. In Romans 8:12-15, we must understand that Paul is assuring us that we are not under any obligation to commit sin, but if we do, that sin is an intentional and voluntary transgression.
The involuntary transgression may become sin. I may make a mistake on a tax return which I prepare that, unknowingly, results in a false statement. The client signs the tax return and agrees to the statement, “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.” Suddenly, the tax return is no longer true and correct. Once the mistake comes to light, if I try to bury the mistake in the darkness, it is now sin to me. The right action is to bring the mistake to the client’s attention and decide whether to file an amendment.
To bury such mistakes in the darkness and expect all to be well is, as Wesley says, “the highest arrogance and presumption.” The sin is not in the mistake, for it was not an intentional or deliberate act and certainly did not involve any ill motive. The sin is in the response once the mistake is uncovered. Worse yet would be if the client brought such a mistake to my attention, and I dismissed the issue as inconsequential. This may be a lie, and a very intentional and deliberate one at that.
When put this way, we can see how sin is intentional and deliberate. Mistakes happen. Sin does not just happen. Sin is not the result of a simple mistake. There is a very deliberate and intentional decision behind sin.
We need the Holy Spirit to work especially within our motives, desires, and intentions. It is only by faith that our motives can be transformed and renewed. There is often a great deal of trust in the Lord required to make the righteous choice and turn away from conformity to the world. Righteous decisions may give an appearance of being all by works. However, we must consider first that righteousness is only made possible because justification by faith results in cancellation of the sin nature. The bondage to sin is broken, and we are made alive unto obedience to God.
This transaction occurs only by faith. Once the bondage is broken, we are indeed free to live in obedience. This is only the result of sin. There will be a great deal of intentionally leaning into the righteous choice and turning away from sin. The power to do so comes only through the Holy Spirit. Thus, we live by faith not by works. Anything that appears to be works in a righteous person justified by faith is truly facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
There is a danger of placing too much hope in works. However, a person who is living in a works-based salvation mindset will eventually be found out. Because the motivations are not aligned with Christ, outward sin will become more and more visible.
The person who is living victoriously will appear to be living by works but is only leaning into faith that the strength of the Holy Spirit is continually enabling righteous choices to be made.
Like this post? Subscribe to stay up to date on new posts.