Hi,

If anyone is interested, I used to frequent a Nazarene message board where the topic of Sinless Perfection is often discussed. There is one person there (Mandy) that is quite rabid in stating that she does not sin -- EVER. If interested, CLICK HERE. If you use my name they will instantly be biased against you! Go figure?!

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

Answers

Give her Jay Wilson's phone number. Jay could use her as "Exhibit A."

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2001

Barry.....

I just read some of Mandy's post and noticed....she confuses "assurance of salvation" with "being sinless." She sees the two as one. If she is truly saved....she believes she will sin no more. A regrettable confusion.

Level of personal holiness achieved has nothing to do with our justification. I'm justified in Christ....which in turn leads me to strive towards holiness.

This business of the assurance of salvation is something we have been woefully remiss in teaching in the RM.

I would venture to say that the average person in the RM is in no way assured of their salvation. If you would ask them....if they died right now would they go to heaven.....they would not know for sure.

That is sad!!

As John said in His gospel.....and in his first epistle...."these things have been written so that you can KNOW that you have eternal life."

It is much, much, much, harder to go to hell than the average person in the Christian church, including many preachers, would have you believe.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2001

John....

My view of them is they really do not understand the meaning of "sanctification"...i.e., "being set apart"...i.e., "being holy."

Scripture teaches two types of sanctification.

One is what might be called "initial sanctification" which occurs at our baptism. We are "set apart" from the world and thus judgment...through the blood of Christ. For instance...Paul told the Corinthians...."Such were some of you....but you were washed....you were sanctified....you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 5)

The next type of sactification is what might be called...."progressive sanctification"...i.e., the lifelong process of setting ourselves apart from sin....of putting sin out of our lives....and becoming Christlike. This is not motivated by the need for justification....(we are justified in Christ...we are not condemned...Romans 8:1)....rather....we are motivated by thanksgiving....and the desire to please the One who saved us.

So in answer to your question....yes they....as well as Mr. Wilson....are confused.

-- Anonymous, December 25, 2001

So in other words these people confuse our position with Christ as being synonymous with being sinless?

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2001

Well he's no relation to me :P

(Nor is John Wesley, tho that is the name I was given...)

-- Anonymous, December 25, 2001