NO BLAME
The wisdom of the fathers
NO BLAME
There are people who imagine that a life of full salvation pretends to be beyond need or capability of progress or improvement. It is really difficult to be patient with such stupidity, especially in those who are the accredited teachers and leaders of the Church. Christian Perfection is defined by its adjective. It is neither final nor flawless. It is a definite work of grace, by which the nature is cleansed of its bias to evil and is made to be partaker of the Divine nature. Every part is sanctified and made conformable to the Divine will. It does not make mistakes impossible or discipline unnecessary, but it does answer the prayer of the Apostle in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it."
Ye ransom'd sinners, hear, The prisoners of the Lord,
And wait till Christ appear, According to His word;
Rejoice in hope, rejoice with me, We shall from all our sins be free.
In God we put our trust; If we our sins confess,
Faithful He is, and just, From all unrighteousness
To cleanse us all, both you and me; We shall from all our sins be free.
Surely in us the hope Of glory shall appear; Sinners, your heads lift up,
And see redemption near; Again I say, rejoice with me,
We shall from all our sins be free. The word of God is sure,
And never can remove, We shall in heart be pure,
And perfected in love; Rejoice in hope, rejoice with me,
We shall from all our sins be free.
(from The Call to Christian Perfection" by Samuel Chadwick)