|
1 Peter 1:13-16 Holiness is: Christ-likeness Holy people in the process of becoming like Jesus Not strictly a crisis experience that happens in a moment of time Both, a decision to surrender our will to God in a moment and a process of growth that should continue until we die X. Entire Sanctification 13. We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.” 14. We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the impulse to grow in grace. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one’s witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost. Sin is: “We sin in word, thought and deed everyday?” A willful transgression of God’s known law They key word there is willful. Sin is not an accident. Sin is not a mistake. It is not an error in judgment. Sin is deliberate. It is intentional. It is on purpose. I know when I do it. And it is not God’s will. I know what God says I should do and I choose not to do it I know what God says I should not do and I do it anyway Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, had this to say about sin: "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of your body over mind, that thing for you is sin." Holiness looks like: More a matter of the heart than it is a matter of keeping a list of rules and regulations An inward transformation that works its way out Sanctified Christians love God and love people.
They are willing to say, “I am sorry.”
They tell the truth…all of the time.
Guard their tongue. Their words will be seasoned with kindness. They will be careful about things like gossip and criticism.
Guard their heart and their mind.
Sanctified people don’t worry about who gets the credit. They are not mean spirited, nasty, critical, carnal or selfish.
They want nothing between their soul and their Savior.
Sanctified people express holiness by honoring authority and obeying their leaders.
A holy person owns their behavior.
|