how to be sinless?

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 how to be sinless?

To understand how to be sinless, it's essential to first define sin according to the sources and then explore the process and principles involved in overcoming it.

What is Sin?

According to the sources, sin is the transgression of God's law. This law is described as holy, just, and good. Sin is not merely outward actions, but also encompasses sensual thoughts and desires, evil thoughts, lustful looks, and internal inclinations. Even "little sins" or defects of character are considered offensive in the sight of God, as they can "eat out the life of godliness in the soul" and lead to greater transgression. Sin is considered a "tremendous evil" that deranges the entire human organism, perverts the mind, and corrupts the imagination.

The Standard of Purity: God's Law and Christ's Character

The standard for believers is perfection, which means "perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect conformity to the will of God". This is based on Christ's injunction: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect".

  • God's Law as the Standard: God's moral law is the "standard of righteousness". It is the "mirror" that reveals defects in character.
  • Christ's Life as the Example: Jesus lived a sinless life, keeping His Father's commandments, and His life is our "standard of obedience and service".

The Role of Christ and Divine Grace

Sinlessness is not attainable by human effort alone. "Of ourselves we can do nothing". Christ's sacrifice and divine grace are essential for overcoming sin:

  • Atoning Sacrifice and Forgiveness: Jesus came to "take away our sins". He is our "Advocate with the Father". Confession and repentance, coupled with faith in Christ's merits, lead to forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness.
  • Partaking of the Divine Nature: Christ came to make us "partakers of the divine nature". This union with Christ is crucial, as "so long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us".

Sanctification: A Lifelong Process, Not a Claim of Sinlessness

True sanctification is presented as a daily, lifelong work, not an instantaneous state or a boastful claim of sinlessness.

  • Caution Against False Claims: Those who claim to be sinless are often described as self-confident and unaware of their true spiritual peril. The more one approaches Christ's image, the more deeply one feels their own defects. It is dangerous to boast of perfection before God.
  • Continuous Effort: Sanctification involves "constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ". It requires "long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict".

Practical Steps to Be Sinless

The path to sinlessness involves a committed and continuous effort in cooperation with divine power:

  1. Repentance and Confession: Upon committing sin, one should immediately "flee to the throne of grace", confess sins with contrition, and believe that Jesus has forgiven them.
  2. Self-Control and Discipline:
    • Control of Thoughts and Emotions: Every thought, feeling, and desire must be held in subjection to reason and conscience. Unholy thoughts must be "instantly repelled".
    • Temperance in All Things: This includes diet, eating, drinking, and dressing. Excessive indulgence is sin.
    • Guard the Senses and Avoid Evil Appearances: Eyes should be shut to evil, ears closed to evil hearing, and tongues guarded from corrupt communications. Avoid anything with "the least appearance of evil".
  3. Study God's Word and Pray Earnestly: Constant, earnest prayer and diligent study of the Bible are crucial for strength against temptation and for understanding God's will. The Bible is the "only correct standard of holiness".
  4. Cooperation with God: Humans must cooperate with God, using their God-given powers to "keep under those passions which should be in subjection" [1NL 65.3, 25, 136, 141, 170, 241, 253, 317, 323, 337, 342, 365, 370, 391, 392, 397, 398, 405, 414, 420, 421, 422, 423, 460, 474, 480, 481, 483, 487, 490, 495, 497, 518, 520, 521, 527, 535, 536, 538, 542, 543, 544]. This is a "constant warfare" against the carnal mind.
  5. Persevere and Never Give Up: Despite shortcomings and temptations, one should not despair. The power of self-restraint strengthens by exercise. It's a journey of continuous advancement and transformation.

In summary, to be sinless means living a life of perfect obedience to God's law, with thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with His will. This is not achieved by human strength, but by a continuous, sincere yielding to God, fervent prayer, diligent study of His word, and drawing upon the grace and power of Jesus Christ, who enables believers to overcome their sinful nature and escape the corruption of the world. While perfection is the goal, it is a lifelong process of sanctification, and one should never boast of being sinless in this life.

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