Reflection on the Doctrine of Christian Perfection
I find the doctrine of Christian perfection to be both exciting, inviting and deeply challenging. It stretches me in many ways, yet it fits beautifully with the heart of Christ and His desires for humanity. When I reflect on Genesis 1:26–28, I am reminded that we were created in the image and likeness of God. This foundational truth shapes our understanding of Christian perfection. Jesus, as the second Adam, came to restore this possibility — fully God, yet fully human. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He not only performed miracles but also lived a perfectly holy life. He became the spotless Lamb of God, providing a model for us and setting the standard of what we, too, can become.
Romans 8:29 declares that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ — which means to be holy. This calling to holiness is not reserved for the afterlife but is something God desires for us in the here and now. I greatly appreciate the “middle way” approach, which emphasizes that sanctification is a work of grace. We are called to yield, to yearn, and to desire that God accomplish this transformation within us before we pass from this life. Complete sanctification or Christian maturity is not just a future hope, but an exciting and present reality available through the Holy Spirit.
I also value the idea of the “shorter way,” not in the sense that sanctification is something we can achieve by ourselves, but rather in the realization that we can choose to yield to sanctification and embrace a sanctified life. As described in Chapter 4 of the book, the life of prayer, resistance to temptation, and ministering following the model of Isaiah 61 brings vibrancy and joy. The thought that we can be free even in our thought life is incredibly liberating.
I am often drawn to the beauty of God’s nature — that He can fully express His emotions because His heart is perfectly pure. Every emotion He expresses is holy and without blemish. This is what God desires for us: that, even within the limitations of this earthly life, we can live in increasing holiness and freedom, preparing us for perfect glorification and union with Him.
This doctrine is exciting and life-giving, unlocking a beautiful part of Jesus’ intentions for believers through the teachings of Scripture. The promise of Christian perfection stirs something deep within me. I am grateful for Dr. Bounds’ explanation, which I found both clear and inspiring. His teaching has brought life to these concepts and helped me understand them more fully. The distinctions he made regarding different aspects or levels of perfection were particularly encouraging and helped settle several questions in my heart. Above all, it affirmed my understanding of God’s heart for us — to be holy, free, and fully alive in Him in this life.