RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-01-04	What About Sinless Perfection
		The term “Sinless Perfection” is sometimes called “Entire Sanctification.” The idea is that a Christian can successfully achieve sinlessness in their lives. That is, even before Christ returns. Those that teach this concept tend to be more in the Pentecostal arena of thought. The only person the Bible describes as sinless is Jesus (2Co.5:21; He.4:15; Is.53:9). 2Co 5:21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Heb 4:15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. There are no examples in the Bible of anyone achieving sinlessness. In fact the Bible teaches and assumes sin will always be present. For example, in the Lord's prayer (better named the disciples prayer) Jesus assumes sin will be present (Mt.6:12). Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. This is a basic prayer for a new believer, but assumes the need for forgiveness. The apostle John clearly says that we will sin even as believers (1Jn.1:8). 1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Sin and confession of sin is the context, so it directly relates to our question of sinlessness. John is saying if you think you are without sin, you are deceived. He recognized that he and all believers certainly sin in this life. A couple verses are used to teach this sinlessness idea (Jn.5:14; 8:11). Joh 5:14  Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." Jesus just healed paralytic. When Jesus said, “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” He was speaking of the man's sin issue. In other words, if the man does not deal with his sin issue, he will experience the doom of hell. Jesus is interested not merely in healing a person’s body. Far more important is the healing of his soul from sin.   Joh 8:11  She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." This is the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery, and the Pharisees brought her before Jesus. Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (Jn.8:7). Then He stooped down and wrote in the sand until all the accusers left. Since the witnesses and the accusers left, the legal case against the woman was dropped. Jesus rebuked sin but at the same time gave the woman hope for a new life. He was not teaching the possibility of being perfectly without sin, but He was pointing her in a better direction. Sinless perfection is the goal we should all be striving towards, even though we know we cannot achieve it. Mat 5:48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. God's righteous standard is perfection. He does not lower the standard to accommodate humanity. The only righteousness accepted by God is His own “righteousness of God” (Ro.3:21-22). This places every believer in perfect standing before Him. This does not mean we are in practice sinless. But in Christ, as our standing before God, we are holy. Even Paul as a mature believer had constant struggles with his flesh (Ro.7:15-24). Part of true spiritual maturity is being cognizant of the subtle sins in your life. There is hope when Christ comes for us. 1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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