R. Scott Clark
Puritan Board Senior
Maybe the biggest trap into which I see Reformed folk falling is perfectionism. As I'm working through Olevianus' commentary on Romans, I'm struck by how often he describes our sanctification as "inchoate," i.e., beginning.
This is also the language of the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q114: Can those who are converted to God keep these Commandments perfectly?
No, but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of such obedience,[1] yet so that with earnest purpose they begin to live not only according to some, but according to all the Commandments of God.[2]
1. I John 1:8-10; Rom. 7:14-15; Eccl. 7:20
2. Rom. 7:22; James 2:10-11; Job 9:2-3; Psa. 19:13
Q115: Why then does God so strictly enjoin the Ten Commandments upon us, since in this life no one can keep them?
First, that as long as we live we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature,[1] and so the more earnestly seek forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ;[2] second, that without ceasing we diligently ask God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we be renewed more and more after the image of God, until we attain the goal of perfection after this life.[3]
1. I John 1:9; Psa. 32:5
2. Rom. 7:24-25
3. I Cor. 9:24-25; Phil. 3:12-14; Matt. 5:6; Psa. 51:12
What is the HC's "plan" (method!) for sanctification?
Q88: In how many things does true repentance or conversion consist?
In two things: the dying of the old man,[1] and the making alive of the new.
1. Rom. 6:4-6; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10; I Cor. 5:7
Q89: What is the dying of the old man?
Heartfelt sorrow for sin, causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more.[1]
1. Rom. 8:13; Joel 2:13
Q90: What is the making alive of the new man?
Heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] causing us to take delight in living according to the will of God in all good works.[2]
1. Rom. 5:1; 14:17; Isa. 57:15
2. Rom. 7:22; 8:10-11; Gal. 2:20
Q91: What are good works?
Those only which proceed from true faith,[1] and are done according to the Law of God,[2] unto His glory,[3] and not such as rest on our own opinion [4] or the commandments of men.[5]
1. Rom. 14:23
2. I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10
3. I Cor. 10:31
4. Deut. 12:32; Ezek. 20:18, 20; Isa. 29:13
5. Matt. 15:9; Num. 15:39
The Christian life is daily dying to self and living to Christ. It sinning and confessing sin and struggling against it. In some ways, the freedom to confess sin is the victory.
We don't confess a "victorious life." We won't realize "victory," over sin (in the way folks often talk) until glory.
If we gain "victory" over a particular sin, there will be another to take its place. If we think we've arrived it probably means that we've defined sin out of existence.
We gain small victories in this life and, as you imply, the power of those small, daily, victories is the gospel and grace.
rsc
This is also the language of the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q114: Can those who are converted to God keep these Commandments perfectly?
No, but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of such obedience,[1] yet so that with earnest purpose they begin to live not only according to some, but according to all the Commandments of God.[2]
1. I John 1:8-10; Rom. 7:14-15; Eccl. 7:20
2. Rom. 7:22; James 2:10-11; Job 9:2-3; Psa. 19:13
Q115: Why then does God so strictly enjoin the Ten Commandments upon us, since in this life no one can keep them?
First, that as long as we live we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature,[1] and so the more earnestly seek forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ;[2] second, that without ceasing we diligently ask God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we be renewed more and more after the image of God, until we attain the goal of perfection after this life.[3]
1. I John 1:9; Psa. 32:5
2. Rom. 7:24-25
3. I Cor. 9:24-25; Phil. 3:12-14; Matt. 5:6; Psa. 51:12
What is the HC's "plan" (method!) for sanctification?
Q88: In how many things does true repentance or conversion consist?
In two things: the dying of the old man,[1] and the making alive of the new.
1. Rom. 6:4-6; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10; I Cor. 5:7
Q89: What is the dying of the old man?
Heartfelt sorrow for sin, causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more.[1]
1. Rom. 8:13; Joel 2:13
Q90: What is the making alive of the new man?
Heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] causing us to take delight in living according to the will of God in all good works.[2]
1. Rom. 5:1; 14:17; Isa. 57:15
2. Rom. 7:22; 8:10-11; Gal. 2:20
Q91: What are good works?
Those only which proceed from true faith,[1] and are done according to the Law of God,[2] unto His glory,[3] and not such as rest on our own opinion [4] or the commandments of men.[5]
1. Rom. 14:23
2. I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10
3. I Cor. 10:31
4. Deut. 12:32; Ezek. 20:18, 20; Isa. 29:13
5. Matt. 15:9; Num. 15:39
The Christian life is daily dying to self and living to Christ. It sinning and confessing sin and struggling against it. In some ways, the freedom to confess sin is the victory.
We don't confess a "victorious life." We won't realize "victory," over sin (in the way folks often talk) until glory.
If we gain "victory" over a particular sin, there will be another to take its place. If we think we've arrived it probably means that we've defined sin out of existence.
We gain small victories in this life and, as you imply, the power of those small, daily, victories is the gospel and grace.
rsc