In which war [the "continual and irreconcilable" war between the Spirit and the flesh, as per paragraph 2], although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
We are assured that--not because of us, but because of God--victory over sin and corruption is inevitable. In Philippians 2:13 we learn that God works and we work; his work does not make our work unnecessary but it does make it certain. By ourselves we can do nothing (John 15:5).
An analogy can be made with the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. When the Allied invasion succeeded, it became inevitable that they would, in time, defeat the Nazis. Still, the war continued for almost another year with occasional setbacks (e.g., the Battle of the Bulge). Thus it is with the struggle of sanctification.
One must guard against the error of perfectionism. Some branches of Christianity have taught the possibility of sinless perfection in this life. However, the overwhelming testimony of Scripture and experience is against this. The concept leads to "classes" of Christians (the few perfectly sanctified and the rest mired in residual sin), the idea that a Christian may be justified but not sanctified (so-called carnal Christians), and the possibility of total victory over sin in this life (contra 1 John 1:8-10).
Tomorrow: Saving faith.
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2 comments:
I just had to read one of Wesley's sermons on Christian perfection for a class this week.
Today Wesley's doctrine of perfection seems almost laughable, but in many ways he made some good points.
I think that he was just reacting to how comfortable we can get with sin sometimes. Grace is meant to change us. And Wesley understood that. Sure, he overreacted a bit, but I think that we need to listen this perspective in case we ever start viewing sin as a normal part of the Christian life.
Hello, Daniel. Thanks for your comment.
As is so often the case in the Christian life, a sense of balance is key. We certainly don't want to be antinomians or rest complacently in a misplaced sense of having "arrived" with no concern for personal righteousness. Grace is no license for sin, after all, and we must remember we are called to be holy. But the reality is we continue to struggle with sin throughout our lives.
John Wesley is always worth listening to (I recall with what respect George Whitefield held him), but like any noninspired author must be read with discernment. Here he was, IMO, guilty of overreaching.
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