Aim High and Walk Straight
Monday, February 10, 2025
“You will not find on this side of heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness.” – C.H. Spurgeon
There is a branch of Christianity that is known as the Holiness Movement. It emerged out of the Methodist Church in the 19th century and was also influenced by the Quakers, the Anabaptists, and those belonging to the Restoration Movement.
The main tenet of the Holiness Movement is to live a life as free of sin as possible. In other words, to be as holy as possible.
Whereas that is certainly a laudable goal and something to which every Christian should aspire, the Holiness Movement takes it to the nth degree… and that is where they fall into doctrinal error. Holiness Movement adherents believe in a “second work of grace”, otherwise known as “entire sanctification” or “sinless perfection”.
According to this false teaching, a second and instantaneous work of grace cleanses the believer from original sin, leaving their heart perfect in love and the person virtually incapable of sinning.
Obviously, that erroneous doctrine can be easily refuted by seeing what the Bible says about sin. Here are a few key verses that address that subject (and shoot “sinless perfection” full of holes)…
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.” I John 1:8-10 (BSB)
That being said, Christians should not take sin lightly (Romans 6:1-2). After all, it cost Jesus Christ His life and God the Father, His Son. On the contrary, we should follow Christ’s admonition in Matthew 5:48 that reads, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
I realize that that is an unattainable goal this side of Glory, but if we want to be conformed into the image of Jesus, we need to aim high and walk straight (Matthew 7:14).
“For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
