Perfection is what some people, and not necessarily just Christian people, strive for all their lives. I believe, along with Wesley, that a Christian can live a perfect life, but it does not happen right at salvation but that it is a continual work. I believe the order of a Christian's walk is salvation, justification (sanctification), the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then perfection. I plan to prove that Christians can live a perfect life and that it can be achieved before death.
A person goes to the alter in church and gives their life over to God. I believe this is the most exciting thing that can happen in a person's life, but what comes after salvation. Does all the habits of smoking, foul language, having premarital sex, or drinking just go away? I believe that all of the old habits a person has in them are still there but there but God has instilled His power into their lives that they may have the power to overcome it, and to get rid of it. "Let your soul be filled withso entire a love to Him, that you may love nothing but for His sake. Have a pure intention of heart, a steadfast regard to His glory in all your actions." (Wesley 8) People expect a person to get saved and to become a perfect person just because of one prayer that lasted about five minutes or less, but I believe that it is a work that takes years to accomplish in your life. I grew up in the Church of God denomination in where we believe in the seperate work of sanctification. I have always grown up believing that you could live a perfect, sinless life. I have always wanted to get to that point of where I don't want to sin anymore and that I don't have any real struggle with it because Jesus has filled my heart, my mind, and my soul so much ...
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...day I will be able to say that I have lived, even if just one day, a perfect Christian life in that God would be proud of me that I have strived to be like His son Jesus and that I have strived after heavenly things.
"Savior from sin, I wait to prove That Jesus is Thy healing name; To lose, when perfected in love, Whate'er I have, or can, or am; I stay me on Thy faithful work, "The servant shall be as his Lord." Answer that gracious end in me For which Thy precious life was given; Redeem from all iniquity, Restore, and make me meet for heaven. Unless Thou purgemy every stain, Thy suffering and my faith are vain." (Wesley 31)
Works Cited
The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. Print.
Russie, A. (Ed.). (2011). The Essential Works of John Wesley. Barbour Publishing. Retrieved from http://books.google....RsC&pg=PT727
John Wesley read Isaac Watts at Oxford and was familiar with his writings and theology Further, there can be no doubt that Wesley greatly respected Watts as a theologian. In a 1765 journal entry Wesley wrote of his positive relationship with the Dissenters, although, "... many of them did, however, differ from me both in opinions and modes of worship. I have the privilege to mention Dr. Doddridge, Dr. Watts, and Mr. Wardrobe." (1) Wesley thought so highly of some of Watts' theology that he included forty-four pages of Watts' text on original sin, The Ruin and Recovery of Human Nature, in his own volume titled, On Original Sin. (2) That Watts and John Wesley had a relationship of mutual respect, and that Wesley recognized Watts' preeminent reputation
"Every time he [Wesley] lays out Methodist beliefs he's saying it's basic Christianity," Jones said. Wesley was determined to preach "primitive Christianity" and to rescue the faith from "more corrupt forms." Jones asserted Wesley wo...
Perfection? Can any one person be perfect? Benjamin Franklin believed that he could accomplish this task. Benjamin Franklin was known for being a cognizant and diligent perfectionist. During his lifetime, many people were concerned with correcting themselves of any fault that they may have had. Benjamin Franklin did have an interesting way to proclaim how he, could show everyone how to be perfect. He believes that he can make himself perfect. Even though his ways of being perfect are not the same as everyone else's ideas, he still tries to show them he can be perfect. In his essay "Arriving at Perfection" Benjamin Franklin tries to tell everyone how he will be perfect and how he is going to actually accomplish this task.
Reason is the first of the complimentary Quadrilateral factors. Wesley’s belief went against that of the “Enlightenment Period” which believed that reason was above scripture. This is confirmed by Wesley’s ideology that scripture is first and through scripture we gain faith and faith comes through hearing the Word of God. He also belie...
Mill, John S. The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill. New York, New York: Modern Library, 2002. Print.
At the end of Jesus’ sermon he stated, “Be perfect therefore just as your heavenly father is perfect.”(Matthew 5 verse 48). When Jesus stated to be perfect, Jesus did not mean to be some type of big time over achiever or to have a perfect patty attitude. The point Jesus was trying to make was to stop comparing yourself to others. When people decide to put themselves in competition with others or compare themselves to others that will lead them to a path of false sense of righteousness. Jesus wants us to learn a lesson from his “to be perfect” statement. Jesus understands that no one is 100% perfect out here. There is also a chance where there can be an individual that is morally challenged than what you might be. In the end in God’s vision there is room for improvement in God’s perfection.
The common goal of Christianity is to spread faith and good morals, and we give inspiration. We try to be a good influence in the world and try to make an impact on people lives. Our ambition is to be like God. Everyone is not perfect, so we also try to improve ourselves as well as others. Another goal is to be
In todays society to be “perfect” one must follow society’s criteria. This criteria can depend on what type of perfection one is following. There are different types of perfection such as self oriented perfection, socially prescribed perfection, other oriented perfection, overt perfection, and covert perfection. These types of perfection are all different in how a person is “perfect”. Trying to be perfect can have its benefits but it causes mental health problems that make it not worth it. Rachel Rettner said, “Though perfection is an impossible goal, striving for it can be a boon for one's health, causing one to stick to exercise programs to a tee, say, or follow a strict regimen for treating chronic illnesses like type
Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the inward change, which in turns perpetuates an outward visible signs of the inward change in the form of works.
...Today as a Christ follower, we will never be satisfied if our life is not bearing lasting fruit because we are not fulfilling the purpose for which we were “grafted “into the Vine. Let’s examine the “fruit” of our lives. Is it the kind of fruit that reveals the character of Christ? Let’s not settle for fruitless Christianity. God will do the work of making us fruitful – we must only abide, surrendering our lives to His mission of making disciples of all nations through us. The whole notion of mission is to stretch out to work the work of evangelism not through hierarchy, sovereignty, rather through humbleness, hospitality, affection love for the others. That is what Jesus who portrayed as the one who we do not deserve to untie His sandals straps in the first Chapter of John, later become feet washer, intimate with humanity leaving His equality with God.
“Human beings are made for worship. Everyone worships someone or something” (Calhoun 2005). The above statement is so true. Some people worship money, themselves, other people or pagan Gods. As for me I worship God the Almighty Father of Heaven and Earth. “True worship of God happens when we put God first in our lives” (Calhoun 2005). Worship isn’t just singing at the beginning of a church service on Sunday. Worship is a daily surrender where we put God first in everything such as our marriage, work life, friendships, family, money, and lifestyle. Worship is where we totally surrender and trust God with everything in our lives.
He carries with Him the transcendence that comes only with God Himself. Therefore, His work on our behalf makes our salvation sure. Jesus, the God-man, has atoned for our sins. We can place our confidence in Him because of His divine nature” (7). This is the ultimate application of the gospel of John. John is a book that Christians need to read and gather as much information out of it as possible to share with others who do not believe in or have not heard of Jesus. The applications written in this book are for all to hear and for all to reap the benefits of. Jesus is the only one who can save humanity from the sin that we have brought upon ourselves in which the consequence is death. Jesus died on the cross so that we would not have to pay for our sins. God sacrificed His one and only son so that we may live eternally with Him in Heaven. According to the lesson on John, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to provide the gospel message to others and share the love of Christ (Lesson 7.23.3). We are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our actions so that the Lord might save as many as
Jesus was perfect he did not even yield to the temptations of his nature unlike the people around him. It says in John 14:30 that “but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Jesus did not even yield to temptations in his actions.
Methodism began as a sect of the Anglican Church founded by John Wesley, an educated, articulate theologian and pastor who focused at least as much on the heart as on the head. Born in 1703, John Wesley was the “fifteenth of nineteen children born to Samuel and Susanah Wesley,” (Cairns 382). His father was the pastor of a small church called Epworth. His parishioners, to say the least, did not care for him. Bruce Heydt says that “their worldly ways and fierce independence left little room in their hearts for a curate who took his work too seriously,” (Heyd...
I believe in the three types of grace that John Wesley believed in and preached on. These three types of grace given by God are Prevenient, Justifying, Sanctifying Grace. God’s grace is free and open to anyone. The first type of grace, prevenient, “it is an elemental form of grace found in everyone.” It is the spark that exists within us that opens humans up to the concept of God. Humans don’t ask for Prevenient Grace, it just exists. “That is the significance of Prevenient Grace. God seeks us before we ever seek