The CatechismGlobal Methodist Church
Question 73 of 77 · Wesleyan Characteristics

Should all pursue entire sanctification?

Yes. It should be sought earnestly by every child of God.

Catechism for the Global Methodist Church, question 73

Commentary

The catechism now asks who entire sanctification is for. The answer comes from the same sentence of Article XI of the Confession of Faith that the previous question used: this gracious gift "should be sought earnestly by every child of God." ΒΆ102.6 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline says the same in the church's own voice: a life of holiness, and in the end entire sanctification, "should be the goal of each person's journey with God." Christian perfection is therefore a doctrine for the whole membership rather than for a spiritual elite.

Every child of God answers the question of scope. The command to be holy was given to "all the congregation of the sons of Israel" (Leviticus 19:2), and Peter applies it to every Christian without exception: "as the one who called you is holy, become holy yourselves in all your conduct. For it is written, 'You shall be holy, because I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). Hebrews frames the pursuit of holiness as a condition of seeing the Lord at all, "Pursue peace with all and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14), which leaves no believer free to consider it someone else's business.

Sought earnestly answers the question of manner. Second Peter describes what earnest seeking looks like. God's "divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and piety," and through his promises believers "may become participants in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:3-4). The gift comes first; then the effort. "For this very reason, after supplying all diligence, supply virtue in your faith," and so on through knowledge, self-control, perseverance, piety, brotherly love, and love itself (2 Peter 1:5-7). Those who do this "will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10). The psalmist's prayer shows the inward side of the same seeking: "Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name" (Psalm 86:11). A united heart, undivided in its love, is what entire sanctification names.

For a Methodist this teaching turns a doctrine into a prayer. Wesley expected his people to ask God for perfect love, to expect it, and to keep asking until they received it, using the means of grace all the while. The catechism does not say that every believer has obtained it; it says every believer should seek it, and Article XI promises that every regenerate believer may obtain it.