74. Does sanctification deliver us from the weakness of human nature?
No. We believe this experience does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance, and mistakes common to humankind, nor from the possibilities of further sin.
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Wesley was very clear concerning what “Christian perfection,” as he called it, was not. It does not bring special knowledge about God or give a person greater access to the answers to all of life’s problems and mysteries, let alone a perfect grasp of secular matters, though mature Christians do know enough to discern between the leading of the Spirit and the promptings of the flesh. It does not bring freedom from error in regard to interpreting the Scriptures, as we can see every day in the theological disagreements between ardent followers of Jesus who are otherwise full of the Spirit and of love, though it does keep those who find themselves in disagreement from falling into bitter recriminations, impatience, and mutual contempt. It does not mean that we will not make mistakes in our assessment of situations or of people, though it will lead us to make amends with speed and humility when we discover our mistakes. We will continue to experience whatever infirmities belong to our mental and physical nature, whether lapses in memory, speech impediments, social awkwardness, or joint pains, though we might find in all of these causes for humility in ourselves and patience with the defects we find in others.
Most disappointing, perhaps, is the fact that Christian perfection does not bring freedom from temptation or diminish the need for watchfulness. Indeed, Wesley suggested that the adversary would target those closest to holiness all the more. These realities continue to drive us to God for the guidance and power that God makes available through the Holy Spirit, quickening our conscience and keeping us on high alert, so that we do not fall into sin through neglect or weakness. Charles Wesley reminds Methodists of this need in “I Want a Principle Within,” a hymn that is perhaps too seldom sung:
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
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So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Cor. 10:12 NIV)
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:1–2 NIV)
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)
See also Ps. 86; 2 Cor. 12:7–9; Heb. 3:12–15; 10:26–39; Rev. 2:2–7; CoF XI
This is an excerpt from Christian Faith and Doctrine: An Annotated Catechism for the Global Methodist Church. Seedbed is pleased to partner with The Global Methodist Church to offer this companion resource to A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church.
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