The Doctrine of "Perfect in Love"

Over the past several months, I have found myself in some intense discussions about different Christian Doctrines (ie: Calvinism and the Wesleyan Arminian or "Holiness" Doctrine). Both have some excellent arguments about why their dead theologian has the better doctrine and the better understanding of God's word than the other dead theologian.

So I studied both, I still am studying both. I have a couple of issues with both of these doctrines. My biggest issue with these doctrines, is they are both right! The other issue is that they are both MAN'S interpretation of GOD'S word. Yes, I realize that I myself am a man, so please realize that, I know that I am not 100% on this either. And that my intention and my prayer is to put a new perspective on Christianity, to make you think outside of the box, to allow you to think on your own.

I have been studying God's word and praying, over the past several months, that God would reveal to me which, doctrine is the doctrine that most represents His will for our lives. And sometimes God gives us the answer, but we don't see it because we are looking for a certain answer. Well is it A=God's will or is it B=God's will ? So we look and we look, we search and pray. When all along God is saying to us "The answer is right there! Yes the answer is A." And we are satisfied. Then we read something else and God says to us "Yes B is the answer!" And we go back and forth and back and forth. When really all along the answer is right there. All along we are trying to fit God into the categories, trying to compartmentalize God's will and make it seem like God is this one dimensional being. This God who can't make up his mind. When all along God is saying "YES THAT'S THE ANSWER". I tend to believe the is isn't A=God's will or B=God's will but AB=God's will.

As humans we tend to over complicate things, be over analytical. By trying to simplify things we make them more complicated. Why would two very wise Christian's, whom I both love and respect, have two completely different views on the will of Christ? Why would Jesus say to the women at the well 'Go and sin no more' (John 8:11) and also say "...I refer to those whose sin does not lot lead to death." (1John 5:16) and "All wrong doing is sin, and there is sin the does not lead to death" (1John 5:17) Romans 9. God is very complex. but the will of God is simple.

The will of God is simple. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. The second which is equal to this is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The problem, to me, with the Holiness Doctrine is that, it leaves room to forget to love God. If you spend all of your time and energy on trying to not sin. It makes you vulnerable to forget why you are spending all of this time and energy to not sin. And the other issue to me is that followers of this doctrine are subject that their sin wasn't "intentional" therefor it wasn't a sin.

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ, you have fallen away from grace. (NIV)

On the other side of the coin, the problem with the Calvinist Doctrine, is that it has the ability to take out all personal accountability for sin. Because people could have the notion that if I am chosen I no longer need to follow the will of God because I have said my magic prayer and once saved always saved.




You have seen some of my very basic issues (there are more than just those few) with both Doctrines. Now let me introduce my doctrine. The Doctrine of Perfect in Love or Calvminianism.

You may have seen in previous post that I LOVE Romans 6. These next few verses, to me really sum up how to achieve God's will.

Romans 6: 11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.


Here's the thing. When you love someone so much; whether it be a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, brother, sister, mom, dad. You are not going to want to do anything to hurt or disappoint them. How is that workin' out for ya? You still love them, they still love you. You still make mistakes. But the more you get to know them, the deeper in love you fall with them, the less and less you will hurt or disappoint them. It's the same thing with God. The more time we spend with him, the more things we do to glorify and praise Him, less and less will we hurt Him. Those desires to sin, will turn into desires to honor him. Don't focus on NOT SINNING focus on getting to know God, glorifying Him in everything you do, in every thought, in every action, in every word.

To sum it up. Live for God in every aspect of your life. Do EVERYTHING in your power to praise and honor him. When you fall don't get discouraged. Don't become like Judas and give up. React like Peter, get back up and figure out how to follow him closer. Take those times of sin and turn it into a testimony. John tells us that everyone has a testimony. USE IT, SHARE IT. Don't just share your testimony, BE your testimony. You do these things you will be Perfect in Love.