The difference between "sinless perfectionism" and "entire sanctification."

justbyfaith

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sinless perfectionism might be defined as the doctrine, contrary to 1 John 1:8, that as believers in Christ, we are without sin.

entire sanctification, on the other hand, tells us that the element of sin dwells within us; but that it can be rendered dead through crucifixion (Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:6-7, Romans 7:8).

This is not in denial of 1 John 1:8 but it preaches that we can live a life of freedom from the committing of sins with our spirit and soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, and 1 John 3:5-9).

That we do not have to sin is evident from scripture (Romans 8:12-13); we are not obligated to the flesh, and we are also obligated to not obey the dictates of the flesh according to that passage.

God hates sin (Psalms 5:5-6, Psalms 7:11) and he wants to deal with it practically in our lives (Matthew 5:6, Romans 5:17-19, 1 John 3:7).

Until we get home to heaven, we will have sin dwelling in our mortal flesh. However, it doesn't have to have any kind of authority over our behaviour in what we do or say.
 
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bcbsr

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sinless perfectionism might be defined as the doctrine, contrary to 1 John 1:8, that as believers in Christ, we are without sin.

entire sanctification, on the other hand, tells us that the element of sin dwells within us; but that it can be rendered dead through crucifixion (Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:6-7, Romans 7:8).

This is not in denial of 1 John 1:8 but it preaches that we can live a life of freedom from the committing of sins with our spirit and soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, and 1 John 3:5-9).

That we do not have to sin is evident from scripture (Romans 8:12-13); we are not obligated to the flesh, and we are also obligated to not obey the dictates of the flesh according to that passage.

God hates sin (Psalms 5:5-6, Psalms 7:11) and he wants to deal with it practically in our lives (Matthew 5:6, Romans 5:17-19, 1 John 3:7).

Until we get home to heaven, we will have sin dwelling in our mortal flesh. However, it doesn't have to have any kind of authority over our behaviour in what we do or say.
Regarding the two terms, it's Finney versus Wesley.
 
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justbyfaith

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Wesley said that he did not contend for the term sinless though he did not object to it.

In one sense, I agree. I myself don't object to the term sinless if it is in reference to practice.

If it is in reference to being sinless in the sense of being without even indwelling sin, then I object to it and do not promote it.

The Nazarene Church, which you said is Wesleyan, uses not the term sinless perfection to describe their doctrine, but the term entire sanctification.

I think that the Nazarene Church gets some of their doctrine from Finney also, however.

And it is unfortunate that the Nazarene Church allows women ministers; however, you can not be sure that all those who believe in holiness doctrine also carry the same doctrine as this. I myself believe in holiness doctrine and chose not to go to a Nazarene Church in my area because the minister was a woman.

And finally, your dissertation tried to deal with 1 John 3:9 but said nothing of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 and/or Hebrews 10:14.

And it also did not deal with the combination of 1 John 2:17 with 1 John 3:6. Nor did it deal with 1 John 3:7 or 1 John 3:8.
 
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justbyfaith

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SANCTIFICATION:

Galatians 3:14, Romans 5:5, and Ephesians 3:19 tell us that through faith in Jesus Christ we are filled with the fulness of the love of God by the Spirit. Romans 8:4 tells us that if we walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us. Also the love I speak about from Romans 5:5 is the fulfilling of the law...Romans 13:8-10, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John 1:6.

1 John 1:8 tells us that all of us have sin...but 1 John 3:5-9 shows us that this is not speaking of us being unable to not commit sin from moment to moment...it is speaking of indwelling sin...and indwelling sin can be rendered dead (Romans 7:8, Romans 6:6-7, Galatians 5:24) so that it has no authority over what we do in our behaviour.

We become one flesh with Jesus Christ according to Ephesians 5:30-32; we are purified in our souls according to 1 Peter 1:22, and in Titus 3:4-7our soul and spirit is regenerated and renewed. And in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 we can be sanctified wholly in the spirit and soul and body.

In Hebrews 10:14 those who are sanctified (wholly) have been perfected for ever.

Now I do not claim to be sinless; I consider that I have not apprehended this sanctification that I speak of: and in Philippians 3:15 it states that as many as are perfect shall have this attitude.

Proverbs 4:18 says, But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Therefore in my process of sanctification, I seek to move ever forward and never backward (see also Philippians 3:16).

If I ever reach what Proverbs 4:18 calls the perfect day, I may never know it, although it may be the truth. Because as a born again Christian, my eyes are fixed on Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) and not on my inward parts; unless the Holy Spirit is specifically pointing out something to me that is not pleasing to Him.

I find that He points those kinds of things out less and less as time passes, because He is sanctifying me on a daily basis, and I am becoming more and more like Christ through being immersed in His word from day to day (Romans 8:29, Romans 12:1-2).
 
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justbyfaith

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If entire sanctification can be related to circumcision of the heart, I find that the scriptures teach that it is a second benefit (2 Corinthians 1:15).

In Romans 2:28-29, we find the words, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly: neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

And in Romans 4:11, And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had being yet uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also.

If you apply these scriptures together, I believe that you will see that circumcision, or an inward entire sanctification of the heart, is not necessary for salvation but that righteousness is imputed to those who have not received the circumcision of the heart which is the seal of the faith that you had when you were yet uncircumcised of heart.

I myself am personally motivated to live as one circumcised of heart, not because I fear condemnation if I do not have it (although that may be part of it), but because 1) the Lord's discipline/chastening in my life makes me want to live holy (Hebrews 12:5-11), 2) I know that the communication of my faith will become effectual through the acknowledging of every good thing which is in me in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:6); in other words, if I live righteously, there will be power behind my witness because I am not coming from a place of hypocrisy, and 3) there is a chance that if I don't live circumcised of heart, there might be condemnation (Matthew 13:41-42, Matthew 13:49-50, Matthew 7:23, Matthew 5:29-30).

But the point I make by these things is that circumcision of the heart, or entire sanctification, is indeed a second blessing/benefit.

It does enter into the concept of whether a man can be justified before the Lord without being born of God. I'm not sure that my theology is well enough studied out for me to answer this question; but I do see from Romans 4:5 that God justifies the ungodly, not by their works, but that he imputes righteousness to them through faith; and that also in 1 John 3:5-9 and other passages born of God seems to only apply to those who live holy lives.

So maybe all those who are justified will end up being born of God, and that this will happen on the earth or else when they receive their glorified bodies; and can happen in either instance. If we love the Lord and want to be a positive witness for Him, we will desire to be born of Him, and will not be content to be merely justified, waiting for glorification to be made born of Him.

And there is also a strong possibility that all of this is conjecture; and that no one is justified unless they are born of God according to 1 John 3:9.

Nevertheless I believe that righteousness is imputed to us if we waver not at the promises of God through unbelief but wax strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20-22). And among these promises that we are to strongly believe in are the promises concerning entire sanctification, such as in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, and 1 John 3:5-9. If we believe in them and hold on to them and do not give up on them, then we will receive entire sanctification in our lifetime or else we will receive the promise when we enter into glory because we placed our hope in them as promises; and it may be either one.
 
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