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In the last thought the question was raised as to the possibility of our loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus declared that this is the first and greatest commandment. My conclusion was that it must be possible or else we would not be commanded to do it. The question that then must be considered is, "How is it possible?"
One of the debates among Wesleyans in the area of sanctification has to do with sin and holiness. Sincere, God fearing, Word honoring believers differ on these issues. I will very briefly give you my belief and understanding and hope not to receive too many emails explaining where I have missed it! First, I do not believe in sinless perfection, and I do not believe the Bible or Wesley taught this as a possibility. If this thought were a paper I would list ample scripture and quotes to support this conclusion. What I mean is that I do not believe any of us will reach the place in this mortal life where we cannot sin or where we are exempt from human frailties such as ignorance, mistakes, or temptations. I do not believe that you or I will ever be sinlessly perfect in this life.
That being said, I will hasten to say that I do believe in something called "perfect love." Again, without going into great detail, to me the doctrine of perfect love teaches that there is the possibility of living in a state of love toward God where we have victory over willful sin, are able to overcome temptations, and can choose to walk in the Spirit to the degree that we have no more desire to sin against God. This does not mean we cannot sin, but we can choose not to. Living in perfect love toward God allows one to fulfill the great commandment.
So how is it possible for sinful man to grow to a place of perfect love toward God. Again, I hasten to say that it is not just through willpower, not by gritting our teeth and being determined, nor is it by any "power or might" of our own. As with all good and perfect gifts from above it is by God's grace administered through His Spirit. "By grace through faith" is a recurring theme in the Bible. What has God's grace provided that would allow one to love God with one's entire heart, soul, mind, and strength?
Again, let us recall what God provides through the experience of the new birth. We immediately receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity who raised Jesus from the dead. We receive a new nature, the nature of the second Person of the Trinity who lived and died without sin. And we receive the Word of the Father written in our minds and on our hearts. This constitutes the New Covenant we have with God. We are a new creation in Christ. Old things pass away and all things become new. We are delivered from the penalty of sin, the power of sin is broken, and until we are finally delivered from the very presence of sin we are able to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. These are not my words, but the words of Scripture! If you need to, look them up for yourself. This is what God has promised for His children, not just in eternity, but now in this life.
All these things the believer already possesses. We do not need to ask for the indwelling of the Spirit; He is already in us. We do not need to seek the new nature; we already have it. We do not need to knock on the doors of heaven to find God's Word; it is written in our minds and on our hearts. What we need is to understand the means of grace whereby God empowers us to walk in what He has already provided.
Do you recall the final questions I left with you in the last thought? "If it is possible to love God in such a way as to fulfill the great commandment, is it my desire to do so? If so, am I willing to do what is necessary to achieve such a love?" This is where our trouble lies. It is in our lack of desire for the things of God more than our desire for the things of the world. It is in our unwillingness to do what is necessary to walk in the Spirit. It is in our lack of surrender and our choice not to die to self daily. How do I know this? Because I see it plainly in myself. Perfect love toward God is within our reach. God can do no more than what He has already done. He can give no more than what He has already given. As the saying goes, the ball is in our court. We must ask the question, "What will it cost us" to walk in perfect love toward God? This is a valid question, and a question we are encouraged by Jesus to ask. But an equally valid question we must ask is this, "What will it cost us not to?"
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it - lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:28-33
James O. Jones, Jr.
Director: Light of Life Ministry
Christian Edu South. Meth. Ch.
Continuing Edu for SM College
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