CHRISTIAN PERFECTION by C. Drew

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1860

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

By C. Drew

DEAR brethren and sisters, if we are what we profess to be, we must be holy. This blessing, I believe, is for us in this life. I think I have known something about it. But it will perhaps be urged that the New Testament declares that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. 1 John i, 8.

I answer, the tenth verse fixes the sense of the eighth: "If we say we have no sin," in the former, being explained by, "if we say we have not sinned," in the latter verse. 2. The point under consideration is not whether we have, or have not, sinned heretofore, and neither of these verses assert that we do sin now. 3. The ninth verse explains both the eighth and tenth: that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It may be thought that the case described in the seventh chapter of Romans, affords an argument against the doctrine of full sanctification in this life; but let it be observed that the apostle in that chapter personifies one under conviction, and not one who is made free by Christ, as all true believers are. This is evident from the scope and design of the apostle's argument. He first shows how we are convicted of sin; namely, by the law.

In the next place he describes his internal exercises while under conviction. Here we find his mind being enlightened, his conscience and will sided with the law, though that condemned him. In this condition he would fain have cast off sin, and performed every good deed. But not having received Christ by faith, he was continually brought into bondage to the law or power of sin in his members. Hereupon he cried out, Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? In that moment it was given him to see whence deliverance was to come, namely, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and laying hold on the hope set before him, he realized deliverance, and immediately broke out in the language of exultation, saying, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. vii, viii, 1, 2.

Thus it appears that these texts afford no support to the objection, but are perfectly consistent with the doctrine of salvation from all sin.

The next objection I shall notice is the supposed benefit of having some sin reigning in us to keep us humble, endear Christ to us, and cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Does not this objection involve the principle so severely reprobated by the apostle, Let us do evil that good may come? Let some sin remain to keep us humble? &c. Whose damnation, says he, is just. Those who bring this objection appear not to consider the absurdity it contains. Did any one ever suppose that sickness produces health, that darkness produces light, or weakness strength? And yet this would not be more absurd than to suppose that sin can produce humility and make us hunger and thirst after righteousness. No, sin never produces these effects, but quite the contrary. It does not make us more humble but proud. It does not endear Christ to us, but renders our hearts cold towards him. It does not cause us to hunger and thirst after righteousness, but dims our spiritual sight, weakens our desires after holiness, shakes our good resolutions, slackens our pace, and produces untold mischief. The experience of every Christian will refute this objection. Every Christian knows that when he had more sin than he now has, he was more proud, had less love to Christ, and less hungering and thirsting after righteousness; and also, that the more holy desires and affections prevail, the more he hates and dreads sin, and ardently desires to be freed from all sin, and made comformable to the will of God. And it may truly be said that none are so penitent and humble, none value Christ so highly, none admire the beauties of holiness so much as those who are saved from all sin. We shall never hate sin with a perfect hatred, nor love God with a perfect love, till we are sanctified wholly; till we can say with the apostle, I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. ii, 20.

C. DREW.

Belfast, N. Y.