Sin in Believers
As taught in the Methodist / Wesleyan tradition
Addressing the remaining struggle with indwelling sin after justification and the need for continued cleansing.
Within the Methodist tradition, a foundational question often arises that strikes at the very heart of the Christian experience: If a person is truly "born again," why do they still feel the pull of old desires, the spark of pride, or the shadow of an irritable spirit? Is the presence of these internal struggles a sign that the "new birth" was a failure, or is it a standard, albeit painful, stage in the journey toward Christian perfection? This subtopic—Sin in Believers—answers one of the most practical and perplexing dilemmas of the spiritual life. It addresses the ontological state of the justified person, asserting that while sin no longer reigns over the believer, it still remains within them. This distinction between "sin remaining" and "sin reigning" is the hallmark of Wesleyan theology and provides the necessary framework for understanding the lifelong process of sanctification.
By the end of this lesson
- **Identify** the critical distinction between "sin remaining" and "sin reigning" within the life of a justified believer according to the Wesleyan tradition.
- **Distinguish** between "sin properly so-called" (voluntary transgression of a known law) and "inward sin" (unholy tempers, dispositions, and inclinations).
- **Explain** the necessity of "the repentance of believers" as a prerequisite for further growth in sanctifying grace.
- **Articulate** how the "infection of nature" persists after the new birth and why this does not invalidate the reality of a person’s justification.
- **Trace** the biblical evidence for the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit using the provided Scripture anchors.
- **Defend** the Methodist position against the "Zinzendorfian" error of immediate, total sinlessness at conversion.
- **Apply** the doctrine of sin in believers to the practice of "watchfulness" and the regular use of the means of grace (prayer, fasting, Scripture, and the Lord's Supper).
- **Compare** the Wesleyan view of the "simul" (simultaneously righteous and sinner) with the classic Reformed and Moravian interpretations.
Scripture
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