The Arminian Magazine--Spring, 1997
Editorial Note: John Wesley was impressed by the sketch of a "Perfect
Christian" written by Clement of Alexandria about 200 A. D. In 1742 Wesley wrote such
a sketch himself, called "The Character of a Methodist," using the words of
Scripture to describe Christian perfection. Tom Kiser, pastor of Pure Life Church,
Brooklyn, NY, has adapted Wesley's description using more contemporary language. This
short document incorporates 93 biblical references.
A mature Christian is purified through and through as God pours out His love into his
heart by the Holy Spirit, whom He gives him.
He loves the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his
mind and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul;
which is constantly crying out, Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I
desire nothing on earth. God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!
He is therefore always happy in God. Christ has put in him a spring of water welling up
to eternal life, which overflows his soul with peace and joy. Perfect love having now
driven out fear, he is always joyful. He rejoices in the Lord always, even in God his
Savior. He rejoices in the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom he has now
received reconciliation. Having experienced redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, he cannot help but rejoice whenever he looks back on the horrible pit out of
which now he is delivered. He sees all his offenses are swept away like a cloud and his
sins like the morning mist. He cannot help but rejoice, whenever he looks at his present
condition; for he is justified freely, and has peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ. He believes in the Son of God and so has this testimony in his heart that he is
now a child of God. Because he is a son, God sends the Spirit of his Son into his heart,
the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father!" The Holy Spirit himself testifies with
his spirit, that he is God's child. He rejoices also whenever he looks to the future, in
hope of the glory that will be revealed in him. Yes, his joy is full and all his soul
cries out, "Praise be to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ! In His great
mercy he has given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in
heaven for me!"
Because he has this hope, he gives thanks in all circumstances. He knows constant
thanksgiving is God's will for him in Christ Jesus. From God he cheerfully receives all,
saying "The will of the Lord is good." Whether the Lord gives or takes away, he
equally praises the name of the Lord for he has learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. He knows what it is to be in need and what it is to have plenty. He has
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Whether he is in ease or pain, sickness or
health, life or death; he gives thanks to God who in all things works for the good of
those who love him. Because every good and perfect gift is from above, so nothing but good
can come from his heavenly Father, the Faithful Creator into whose hands he has wholly
committed his body and soul. He is not anxious about anything, but casts all his anxiety
on Him that cares for him. His soul rests on God in everything, after presenting his
request to Him with thanksgiving.
He prays continually. God enables him always to pray and not give up. Not that he is
always in the house of prayer; though he neglects no opportunity of being there. Neither
is he always on his knees before the Lord his God. Nor is he always crying aloud to God or
calling upon him in words, for often the Spirit intercedes for him with groans that words
cannot express. True prayer is lifting up the heart to God. The constant disposition of
his mind is, "Glorious ever-present Lord, unto you are my thoughts." At all
times and in all places, his steadfast spirit rises to God. No person or thing hinders or
interrupts. In solitude or company, in relaxation, business or conversation, his heart is
ever with the Lord. Whether he lies down or rises up, in all his thoughts there is room
for God. He continually walks with God, for his mind steadfastly trust Him and everywhere
see Him that is invisible.
While he exercises his love to God, by praying continually, rejoicing always, and
giving thanks in all circumstances, this commandment also is written in his heart; that
whoever loves God must also love his brother. Divine love within inspires him to love his
neighbor as himself. He loves everyone as his own soul, every child of the Father of the
spirits of all mankind. That a man is not a personal friend, is no obstacle to his love.
Neither is it a barrier to his love when he knows someone is the kind of person he
disapproves of, one that repays hatred for his good-will, for he loves his enemies and the
enemies of God, the ungrateful and wicked. If it is not in his power to do good to them
that hate him, yet he does not refrain from praying for them, though they continue to
reject his love, and still mistreat and persecute him.
He is pure in heart. The love of God has purified his heart from all revengeful
passions, from envy, malice and hate, from every unkind temper or abusive desire. It has
cleansed him from pride and arrogance of spirit which only breeds quarrels. He has now
clothed himself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. He bears
with others and forgives whatever grievances he could have against someone, forgiving as
the Lord forgave him. Positively all possible ground for contention on his part is gone,
for no on can take from him what he desires, because he does not love the world nor
anything in the world. Because the world has been crucified to him and he to the world; he
is dead to all that is in the world, both to the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his
eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.
The one purpose of his life is not to please himself but He who sent him. He has pure
eyes [pure motives] and because his eyes are good, his whole body is full of light. Since
the loving eye of his soul is continually focused upon God, his whole body is full of
light and no part of it dark; completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines. God
reigns alone. All that is in his soul is holiness to the Lord. There is not a motion in
his heart, but is according to God's will. Every thought that arises points to Him and is
obedient to Christ.
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours
(Mark 11:24). This verse has become a proof text for "name it and claim it"
presumption. Richard Watson, the first Methodist to produce a systematic theology, wrote
in a rare commentary:
An ill use has sometimes been made of this passage, as though it meant, that, when
praying, whatever we believe, that is, persuade ourselves that we receive, we do receive,
--an absurdity and self-contradiction. Here, however, to believe, does not signify to
persuade ourselves into an opinion; but to trust, or to have faith in God. This trust must
necessarily be regulated by God's own PROMISE and WARRANT, and it is exercised IN ORDER
that we may receive. The sense therefore is, believe, trust, that ye shall receive them,
and ye shall obtain them; that is, all things which God both expressly promises, and which
are, as St. John states, "according to his will"
[Richard Watson, An Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St Mark (London: Wesleyan
Conference Office, 1833), 380].
From Our Mailbag
Dr. A. J. Smith was one of the most godly men I have ever known. He was a saintly
scholar and devoted teacher of God's Word. His keen intellect and warm heart endeared him
to vast numbers of people.
Following his return from China as a missionary, he spent a number of years in
Christian education during which time scores of men and women entered Christian ministries
around the world. He was a devoted student of John and Charles Wesley and the biblical
doctrine of heart cleansing. He strongly believed and taught that no one should lower the
standard of the new birth in order to preach sanctification. He held a high standard for
the new birth experience. He also taught that the Holy Spirit was present in the new birth
experience and not just in sanctification only. His book, Bible Holiness, came about in
the early fifties when such teaching was not popular in the holiness movement. The vast
majority of people in the average holiness church even today know little or nothing of
what John Wesley believed or taught. There is an overall lack of preaching on biblical
holiness and the cleansed life in the average church. Sometimes, even when the subject is
attempted, the result is little more than a watered-down easy believism.
Bible Holiness was compiled from original notes used by Dr. Smith in the classroom and
small class meetings. He finally decided to put them in printed form. It was not only a
point of doctrine that was at issue, but also an effort to deal with legalism which was so
prevalent during that time.
Dr. Smith was my mentor and instructor as a young preacher. As a son-in-law, I knew him
well and held him in the highest esteem. I owe much to him for my spiritual growth and
inspiration in my early days as a young Christian starting out in ministry. I am glad you
are reprinting Bible Holiness. I commend the book and hope the reader will be able to
glean choice nuggets of truth that will enhance the biblical teaching of heart holiness as
manifested in the everyday life of the believer.
Dr. Joe C. Sawyer
Executive Director of Lay Evangelism, Inc
and a General Evangelist for The Wesleyan Church
The modern holiness movement has tended to place far less importance upon the sacrament
of water baptism than did the New Testament Church. By so doing they have departed from a
plain Scriptural pattern. In his "Treatise on Baptism," John Wesley asserts that
baptism was designed by Christ "to remain always in his Church. . . . It is the
initiatory sacrament, which enters us into covenant with God . . . perpetually obligatory
on all Christians . . . instituted in the room of circumcision." Circumcision was the
way of entering into the covenant God made with Abraham; baptism is now the way of
entering into the new covenant.
On the one hand, sacramentalists have substituted water baptism for the new birth. On
the other hand, the holiness movement came to emphasize Spirit baptism to the neglect of
the water, then relegated Spirit baptism to a second experience. The reader is asked to
take special note of Dr. Clarke's mention of water as an "emblem of the Holy
Spirit."
Those who are dipped or immersed in water, in the name of the holy Trinity I believe to
be evangelically baptized: those who are washed or sprinkled with water, in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I believe to be equally so; and the
repetition of such a baptism I believe to be profane. Others have a right to believe the
contrary if they see good. After all, it is the thing signified, and not the mode, which
is the essential part of the sacrament.
To say that water baptism is nothing, because a baptism of the Spirit is promised, is
not correct. Baptism, however administered, is a most important rite in the church of
Christ. To say that sprinkling or aspersion [pouring] is no gospel baptism is as incorrect
as to say immersion is none. Such assertions are as unchristian as they are uncharitable;
and should be carefully avoided by all those who wish to promote the great design of the
gospel, glory to God, and peace and good will among men. Lastly, to assert that infant
baptism is unscriptural, is as rash and reprehensible as any of the rest. Myriads of
conscientious people choose to dedicate their infants to God by public baptism. They are
in right, and, by acting thus, follow the general practice of the Jewish and Christian
church, a practice from which it is as needless as it is dangerous to depart.
But the water . . . [is] an emblem of the Holy Ghost. The soul was considered as in a
state of defilement, because of past sin; now, as by that water the body was washed,
cleansed and refreshed, so by the influences of the Holy Spirit the soul was to be
purified from its defilement, and strengthened to walk in the way of truth and holiness.
When John came baptizing with water, he gave the Jews the plainest intimations that
this would not suffice; that it was only typical of that baptism of the Holy Ghost, under
the similitude of fire, which they must all receive from Jesus Christ. Therefore our Lord
asserts that a man must be born of water and the Holy Spirit, that is of the Holy Ghost,
which, represented under the similitude of water, cleanses, refreshes, and purifies the
soul. Reader, hast thou never had any other baptism than that of water? If thou hast not
had any other, take Jesus Christ's word for it, thou canst not in thy present state enter
into the kingdom of God. I would not say to thee merely, "Read what it is to be born
of the Spirit," but "pray, O pray to God incessantly till he give thee to feel
what is implied in it!" Remember it is Jesus only who baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
Few will dispute the fact that there is something seriously wrong with the methods
employed by popular holiness evangelists and workers at the altar services. Popular
evangelists have those who desire to be saved sign a card, lift the hand, come forward and
shake their hand, have them kneel at the altar and pray a short prayer for them, have the
seekers repeat it after them and then pronounce them saved, or have the seeker testify
that he was now saved.
Because of defective altar work multitudes leave the altar disappointed. It is not
uncommon for the seeker to be told by the personal workers, "I believe Jesus saves
you, or takes you back," or, "He sanctifies you now, just believe it."
I am sorry that I have to state that many of the old holiness "war horses"
have been drawn into the mainstream of this modern deceiving business at the altars and
are now trying to save and sanctify the seekers themselves instead of letting the Holy
Ghost do it.
Catherine Booth wrote, "Never tell a seeker that you think he is saved or
sanctified, that is God's business." To say that my heart has often been grieved
during revival meetings is putting it mildly. I am certain many souls are being deceived
because of erroneous and unscriptural instruction at the altar. I have seen evangelists
pull seekers up from their knees against their will; some were even pulled over the altar
railing and forced to profess something against their own convictions. It is amazing how
man will get in the way of the Holy Spirit and try to usurp the place and power of Him who
alone is able to let the soul know when the work is done.
A few days ago I witnessed how a prominent holiness preacher insisted on a man and his
wife testifying to sanctification against their own wills. He told them that the witness
would come if they would testify to being sanctified. But the witness did not come and
they went home convicted for lying. I visited them a day or so later and asked the lady
about it. She began to weep, telling me just what I have told you. She said she and her
husband quit going to the altar because when they did they were not left alone. "We
have scarcely reached the altar," she said, "and begun to fix our minds on God,
when the people get around us and talk to or pray at us so loud that we get confused, and
we feel we do better to stay away altogether and pray at home or where we sit."
What a calamity! Is it not time that we stop and find out why people do not pray
through at the altar? God help us to realize that the salvation of immortal souls is at
stake. I was told by one of the young people from a certain popular holiness church that
they had decided not to got to the altar any more because they did not get anything when
they went. "We have no confidence in those who come to pray with or for us, for their
lives prove they themselves do not have what they profess," he said.
A young girl was heard to say sometime after she had professed religion, "I am
disappointed in Jesus; I did not find in Him what I sought for." The fact is that she
did not find Him at all. No one has ever found the real Christ and been disappointed. It
is the devil who disappoints them. He gives them his counterfeit and then they think they
have salvation, but their hearts are void of love and they are unhappy because the devil
has deceived them.
All truly born again souls have peace with God. They have the witness of God in their
hearts that they have forgiveness of sins. Furthermore, they have no condemnation. They
love to pray and have communion with God and fellowship with His people. The sense of
their acceptance with God is registered on their conscience and they obey and please Him.
What then is the real fundamental cause of all the shallow altar work? The reason is
that both the workers and the seekers do not know that it is by the "faith of
God" that we are saved and sanctified. They think it is by their own human intellect.
If they knew that it is by the faith that God imparts, they would never say to a seeker,
"Take it by faith," because he cannot take it before he has this faith given to
him of God. God does not give it until every condition of that faith has been met. If the
seeker knew that he must pray until God gives this faith, he would not permit himself to
be deceived by the shallow altar work, but would turn from him and pray on until God gave
the faith. Once God grants the faith by which we receive the blessing we seek, we need not
be told to "just take it by faith" or "only believe" or "don't
wait for feeling." When faith comes, we can't help but believe and we will have all
the feeling we can take care of.
Another reason why souls are deceived at the altar is they mistake the voice of their
own imagination for the voice of God and idly presume they are born of God while they
continue to walk in darkness. All born again people have the fruit of the Spirit. This is
positive evidence that they have experienced a change of heart.
The question may be asked, Since there is danger of being deceived and receiving a
false witness, how are we to distinguish between the presumption of the natural mind, the
delusion of the devil, and the genuine assurance of the Spirit of God? Mr. Wesley answered
that we may know from what precedes our assurance, from what accompanies it, and from what
follows. According to Scripture, awakening, conviction, repentance, and restitution
precede salvation. If these have preceded the impression that we received, it must be
genuine, for we have met the conditions of faith. On the other hand, if we have not truly
repented of all our sins, turned from them to God, made restitution, asked forgiveness of
those we have wronged and from the heart forgiven those we have wronged, and made
everything right as far as possible, or at least have in our hearts the willingness to
make them right, then whatever our impression or good feeling may be, it is false and will
not last. A better way is to pray and wait before God until the Holy Ghost comes and the
fire really falls, then you will have not doubt. You will know the work is done, because
the Comforter has come to abide.
Editorial Note: This article was adapted from a two-part article first published
at Greensboro, NC in "The People's Herald" in November and December, 1948.
The Christian counseling movement often uses the phrase "unconditional love."
They say that God's love is unconditional. What exactly is meant by this phrase?
God warned in Genesis 6:3 that His Spirit will not strive with man forever. Within the
second commandment is the declaration that the Lord is a jealous God showing love to
thousands of those who love him and keep his commandments (Exod 20:5-6). "The Lord
loves the righteous" (Psalm 146:8). "I love those who love me" (Prov 8:17).
"The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who pursues
righteousness" (Prov 15:9).
John records these words of Jesus, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is
the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father. . . . If anyone loves
me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him. . . . If you obey my commands, you
will remain in my love" (John 14:21, 23; 15:10). These passages, as well as others,
indicate that there are conditions attached to the love of God.
Neither Calvinists nor Wesleyan-Arminians advocate "unconditional love" in an
absolute sense. Calvinism teaches unconditional election, using passages like Romans 9:13
which they interpret as an election of some individuals to salvation and others to
damnation. Calvinism makes a distinction between common grace at work within the reprobate
and special grace at work within the elect. For Calvinists the love of God is conditional
in scope, but unconditional in duration. In Unconditional Good News, Neal Punt advocates
"that all persons are elect in Christ except those who the Bible declares will be
lost. . . . Those who will be lost are those, and those only, who wilfully and ultimately
refuse to acknowledge God." Even this more liberal form of Calvinism denies absolute
universalism. Punt believes the elect include all except the indifferent and disobedient.
Only the heretical theory of universalism would advocate unconditional love in the
absolute sense.
Arminianism emphasizes universal atonement and unlimited grace. For Arminians the love
of God is unconditional in scope, but conditional in duration. Howard Snyder declared that
insofar as God extends his love to all people without distinction, it is true that God's
love is unconditional. Wesley preached, "The grace or love of God, whence cometh our
salvation, is free in all, and free for all." The grace of God is unconditional. He
causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good. He sends rain on the righteous and
unrighteous (Matt. 5:45). While all mankind experiences the grace and goodness of God, we
cannot conclude that the entire race is born again. In fact the purpose of God's kindness
is to lead sinners toward repentance (Rom 2:4).
The holiness of God cannot look with favor upon our sinfulness. God is love, but His
love is a holy love. God's love for us is unmeasurable, but His love is not a careless
love which is indifferent to our sinful condition. The love of God sent Christ to make us
holy. Snyder wrote
God loved our sinful race so much that he sent his Son. He will not, cannot, forgive
and accept us except on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice. To do otherwise would betray the
integrity of God's own holy character. The condition for God's love to reach us was the
Cross. . . . If God loved unconditionally . . . he would forgive and accept every person
no matter what, requiring no Cross ("Is God's Love Unconditional?" Christianity
Today, 17 July, 1995, p. 30).
Those who reject Christ will ultimately come under the awesome judgment of God. If
God's love is thought of as a blanket acceptance, how can we conceive of Him sending
anyone to an eternal hell?
The truth is that love, by its very nature, desires an appropriate response. Love can
be spurned. Love can grow cold. Love can be lost. A sentimental popular song declared,
"Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live, He'll always say, 'I forgive.'"
However, Scripture warns that it is possible to so presume upon, abuse, and reject God's
love that we exhaust His grace and mercy. God is long suffering, but His patience does
have limits.
In the best sense of the word, "unconditional love" may be a phrase used to
assure us that God's love is not manipulative. Those who are scarred by the disappointment
of human relationships which were abusive may find comfort in the knowledge that God does
not love us for what He can get out of us. Nor does God demand absolute perfection. It is
not based upon our works of self- righteousness. He loves His Church even when it has
spots and blemishes.
Yet He loves us too much to allow us to remain defective. In the worst sense of the
word, this phrase may convey the meaning that God will take whatever we offer Him. It may
be simply another expression of the "cheap grace" which Bonhoeffer opposed.
Somehow the typical American churchgoer conceives of God as the overindulgent parent who
wishes we would improve, but has no intention of disciplining. All too often preachers
avoid repentance. They neglect to connect faith with obedience. Sinners feel they can
trust in Christ and may never obey Him as Lord.
True grace enables us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to
live self-controlled, upright and godly in this present age. Pseudo grace does not stop
sinning to get saved. A mistaken view of unconditional love demands no change of behavior,
no commitment to Christ, and no submission to Him as Master and Lord.
The God of the Bible desires that we enter into a covenant with Him. The covenant He
offers is conditional. Snyder observed that when God created humanity, conditions were
there from the start. The death of Christ on the cross and our self-committing trust are
the two essential conditions for experiencing God's love.
If we obey Him, we experience His love. If we rebel against Him, we fall under His
wrath. The Bible offers no hope that at the final day of judgment we will all
"pass" because of the "unconditional love" of God.
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