Christian perfection

Within many denominations of Christianity, Christian perfection is the theological concept of the process or the event of achieving spiritual maturity or perfection. The ultimate goal of this process is union with God characterized by pure love of God and other people as well as personal holiness or sanctification. Other terms used for this or similar concepts include entire sanctification, perfect love, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, the second blessing, and the second work of grace.

Understandings of the doctrine of Christian Perfection vary widely between Christian traditions, though these denominational interpretations find basis in Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (King James Version) but not Matthew 19:21, "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christian perfection is to be sought after by all of the just (righteous).^[1] Eastern Orthodoxy situates Christian perfection as a goal for all Christians.^[2] Perfection is a prominent doctrine within the Methodist tradition, in which it is referred to as Christian perfection or entire sanctification.^[3]^[4] Traditional Quakerism uses the term perfectionism and teaches that it is the calling of a believer.^[5]^[6]

Other denominations, such as the Lutheran Churches and Reformed Churches, reject the possibility of Christian perfection in this life as contrary to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, holding that deliverance from sin is begun at conversion but is only completed in glorification.^[7] Contrasting to all, Christian Science teaches that as man is made in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), "The great spiritual fact must be brought out that man is, not shall be, perfect and immortal".^[8]

^ Spirago, Francis (1899). The Catechism Explained. Benziger Brothers. p. 508. 1. God requires of all the just that they should aspire to Christian perfection. God desires the sinner to be converted, the just to strive after perfection. The duty of aspiring after perfection is included in the precept of charity, for it requires us to love God with all our strength. And what else does that mean but continual advancement in the path of virtue? "He that is just let him be justified still, and he that is holy let him be sanctified still" (Apoc. xxii. 11). Our Lord lays this injunction upon us: "Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. v. 48). The will of God is none other than our sanctification. He who does not aim at the attainment of Christian perfection, is in danger of losing his soul. The vessel that does not stem the stream will drift downwards. Where there is no progression there is retrogression; no man can stand still on the path of virtue." As soon," says St. Augustine," as thou art content with thyself, and thinkest thou hast done enough, thou art lost." We should aim at the highest degree of sanctity, imitating the trader, who is wont to ask the highest possible price for his wares.
^ Cite error: The named reference Jannakos2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Living a holy life". methodist.org.uk. Methodist Church of Great Britain. Retrieved 7 January 2020. John Wesley taught about 'Christian perfection.' He believed that a mature Christian could reach a state where the love of God reigns supreme in our heart.
^ Oden, Thomas C. (2008). Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition: Revised Edition. Abingdon Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-4267-6124-9.
^ Cite error: The named reference OYM2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Fox1661 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Hanko, Ronald. "Glorification". Loveland: Loveland Protestant Reformed Church. Retrieved 29 March 2022. The last step in the order of salvation is "glorification," that is, the receiving of God's elect into heavenly glory. In our glorification God finishes the work of salvation that He began with regeneration. He not only delivers His people from all their suffering and from death, but delivers them too from all their sins.
^ Eddy, Mary Baker (1890). "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 426". Boston: F.J.F. Eddy.

[Spirago-1] Spirago, Francis (1899). The Catechism Explained. Benziger Brothers. p. 508. 1. God requires of all the just that they should aspire to Christian perfection. God desires the sinner to be converted, the just to strive after perfection. The duty of aspiring after perfection is included in the precept of charity, for it requires us to love God with all our strength. And what else does that mean but continual advancement in the path of virtue? "He that is just let him be justified still, and he that is holy let him be sanctified still" (Apoc. xxii. 11). Our Lord lays this injunction upon us: "Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. v. 48). The will of God is none other than our sanctification. He who does not aim at the attainment of Christian perfection, is in danger of losing his soul. The vessel that does not stem the stream will drift downwards. Where there is no progression there is retrogression; no man can stand still on the path of virtue." As soon," says St. Augustine," as thou art content with thyself, and thinkest thou hast done enough, thou art lost." We should aim at the highest degree of sanctity, imitating the trader, who is wont to ask the highest possible price for his wares.

[Jannakos2009-2] Cite error: The named reference Jannakos2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[3] "Living a holy life". methodist.org.uk. Methodist Church of Great Britain. Retrieved 7 January 2020. John Wesley taught about 'Christian perfection.' He believed that a mature Christian could reach a state where the love of God reigns supreme in our heart.

[Ogden2008-4] Oden, Thomas C. (2008). Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition: Revised Edition. Abingdon Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-4267-6124-9.

[OYM2022-5] Cite error: The named reference OYM2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Fox1661-6] Cite error: The named reference Fox1661 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Hanko-7] Hanko, Ronald. "Glorification". Loveland: Loveland Protestant Reformed Church. Retrieved 29 March 2022. The last step in the order of salvation is "glorification," that is, the receiving of God's elect into heavenly glory. In our glorification God finishes the work of salvation that He began with regeneration. He not only delivers His people from all their suffering and from death, but delivers them too from all their sins.

[Eddy-8] Eddy, Mary Baker (1890). "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 426". Boston: F.J.F. Eddy.

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