“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8 NLT) As John succinctly puts it “God is love” and so if we are to be perfectly in the will of God we need to have perfect love. “Perfect Love” was the code phrase used by John Wesley to descibe what we today refer to as “holiness”. God supplies every spiritual need from His infinite resources, equipping us to pursue a life of holiness. From the moment of salvation to the day of glorification, the Christian journey is marked by a growing desire to reflect the character of Christ. This pursuit of holiness lies at the heart of the Wesleyan tradition, as articulated by John Wesley and celebrated in the hymns of his brother Charles Wesley. For them, holiness was not an optional spiritual ideal but the very purpose of redemption—a life transformed by grace and empowered by the Spirit.
Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to live in obedience to God. Holiness is both a gift and a calling. It is initiated by divine grace and nurtured through faithful surrender. As we walk in the Spirit, we experience what the Apostle Paul describes as being “saved through the life of his Son” (Romans 5:10, NLT). This living relationship with Christ sustains and transforms us, freeing us from sin’s dominion and guiding us toward righteousness.
Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) affirms this: “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf”. Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest, continually intercedes for His people. His ongoing ministry ensures not only our justification but also our sanctification. Because He lives forever, His power to sustain believers in holy living never fails. This truth inspired John Wesley’s conviction that salvation extends beyond forgiveness to include inward transformation.
The writer of Hebrews further encourages believers to seek God’s help in their pursuit of holiness. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”. Holiness is not achieved through human effort alone but through continual reliance on God’s grace. It is this grace that both pardons and purifies, enabling us to grow in love and obedience.
Central to the doctrine of holiness is the concept of sanctification. John Wesley taught that believers are progressively transformed by grace and may experience what he called “entire sanctification” or “Christian perfection”—a heart perfected in love for God and neighbor. This does not imply sinless perfection in judgment or knowledge but rather a life fully surrendered to God and motivated by holy love. As John Wesley famously summarized, the goal of the Christian life is to be made perfect in love.
While Christ intercedes for us in heaven, the Holy Spirit works within us on earth to produce holiness. He convicts us of sin, leads us to repentance, and renews our hearts. As we yield to His influence, our lives increasingly reflect the righteousness of Christ. This inner transformation demonstrates that salvation is not merely a change in status but also a change in character.
Scripture assures us that our pursuit of holiness is secure because of Christ’s ongoing ministry. Romans 8:34 (NLT) proclaims, “Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us”. So, our confidence rests not in our own strength but in the living Christ who advocates for us and empowers us to live faithfully.
Our motivation for holy living is rooted in reconciliation with God. Romans 5:10 (NLT) reminds us, “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son”. Since God saved us when we were His enemies, we can trust Him to continue His work within us, shaping us into the image of His Son.
Our vision of holiness also looks forward with hope. Although Scripture speaks of a coming day of judgment, we are assured of deliverance through Christ. As 1Thessalonians 5:9 affirms, “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us” (NLT). This promise inspires our gratitude and reverence, motivating us to pursue lives pleasing to God.
In our union with Christ, we share in His resurrection life. His work for us on the cross leads to His work within us through the Spirit, delivering us from the power of sin. This new life brings peace, righteousness, and purpose. The very life that sustains Christ in glory is at work within us today, guiding our decisions and shaping our character.
Charles Wesley captured this vision in his hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” praying, “Finish, then, Thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be.” His words echo our conviction that God’s grace not only forgives but also transforms.
Because He lives, we are eternally saved and continually sanctified. We are empowered by His grace and sustained by His intercession. We press forward in the pursuit of holiness. We seek to love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves, confident that the God who saves us will also perfect us in holy love.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org