Utakatifu, Utakaso na Ukamilifu wa Kikristo — Sehemu ya 3: Ukamilifu wa Kikristo kwa Wesley: Upendo Kamili, Si Ukamilifu Usio na DhambiHoliness, Sanctification, and Christian Perfection — Unit 3: Wesley's Christian Perfection: Perfect Love, Not Sinless Perfection

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Akamwambia, Mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote, na kwa roho yako yote, na kwa akili zako zote." (Mathayo 22:37, SUV)"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'" (Matthew 22:37, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, unapaswa kuweza:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kufafanua ukamilifu wa Kikristo kama John Wesley alivyofundisha: upendo wa Mungu na wa jirani ukijaza moyo.1. Define Christian perfection as John Wesley taught it: the love of God and neighbor filling the heart.

2. Kueleza matumizi ya Biblia ya neno "mkamilifu," ikiwa ni pamoja na Mathayo 5:48 na Wafilipi 3:12-15.2. Explain the Bible's use of the word "perfect," including Matthew 5:48 and Philippians 3:12-15.

3. Kuorodhesha kile Wesley alichosema ukamilifu wa Kikristo si: uhuru kutoka katika ujinga, makosa, udhaifu na majaribu, wala mwisho wa kukua.3. List what Wesley said Christian perfection is not: freedom from ignorance, mistakes, infirmities and temptation, or an end to growth.

4. Kueleza tofauti ya Wesley kati ya dhambi ya makusudi na mapungufu yasiyo ya hiari, na kwa nini hata wale waliokamilishwa katika upendo wanahitaji damu ya upatanisho ya Kristo.4. Explain Wesley's distinction between willful sin and involuntary shortcomings, and why even the perfect in love need the atoning blood of Christ.

5. Kueleza pingamizi kuu dhidi ya fundisho hili na kutoa jibu la wafuasi wa Wesley kwa kila moja.5. State the main objections to the doctrine and give the Wesleyan answer to each.

Sauti ya Kipindi HikiThe Voice of This Unit

Kipindi hiki kimeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Wesley, kwa ajili ya wanafunzi wa Wesley. Ni cha kihafidhina kitheolojia. Ni mafundisho machache ya mapokeo yetu yanayoeleweka vibaya mara nyingi kama hili, na watu wa nje na wakati mwingine wafuasi wa Wesley wenyewe. Kwanza tutasema wazi kile Wesley alichofundisha, tukitumia mahubiri yake mwenyewe na kitabu A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Maelezo Mafupi ya Ukamilifu wa Kikristo) (1766). Kisha tutaeleza pingamizi kwa uadilifu na kuzijibu kutoka katika Maandiko. Kipindi 2 kiliisha na ahadi kwamba Mungu atashughulikia udhaifu wa ndani unaobaki ndani ya waumini. Kipindi hiki kinaeleza ahadi hiyo inamaanisha nini.This unit is written from inside the Wesleyan tradition, for Wesleyan students. It is theologically conservative. Few teachings of our tradition are as often misunderstood as this one, by outsiders and sometimes by Wesleyans. We will first say clearly what Wesley taught, using his own sermons and the book A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (1766). Then we will state the objections fairly and answer them from Scripture. Unit 2 ended with the promise that God will deal with the inward weakness that remains in believers. This unit explains what that promise means.

Kiini cha Fundisho: UpendoThe Heart of the Doctrine: Love

Mafundisho ya Wesley yanaanzia katika jibu la Yesu kuhusu amri kuu kuliko zote. Tunapaswa kumpenda Bwana Mungu wetu kwa moyo wetu wote, roho yetu yote na akili zetu zote, na kumpenda jirani yetu kama nafsi yetu (Mathayo 22:37-40). Paulo anaongeza, "Upendo haumtendi jirani neno baya; basi, upendo ndio utimilifu wa sheria" (Warumi 13:10).Wesley's teaching begins from Jesus' answer about the greatest commandment. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul adds, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:10).

Ukamilifu wa Kikristo, kwa Wesley, ni hivi tu: moyo ambamo upendo wa Mungu na upendo wa jirani vina nafasi ya kwanza na vinatawala mawazo yote, maneno yote na matendo yote. Mara nyingi aliuita "upendo kamili," na pia alitumia maneno ya Biblia yenyewe, "utakatifu" na "utakaso kamili." Katika mahubiri yake "Christian Perfection" (Ukamilifu wa Kikristo) (1741) na katika Plain Account alisema kwamba maana yake ni kuwa na nia ile iliyokuwa ndani ya Kristo, kama Paulo alivyoandika, "Iweni na nia iyo hiyo ndani yenu, iliyokuwamo ndani ya Kristo Yesu" (Wafilipi 2:5). Alipenda kusema juu ya "holy tempers" (tabia takatifu), akimaanisha mielekeo ya ndani iliyodumu ambayo Roho huikuza ndani yetu: tunda la Roho, ambalo ni upendo, furaha, amani, uvumilivu, utu wema, fadhili, uaminifu, upole na kiasi (Wagalatia 5:22-23).Christian perfection, for Wesley, is simply this: a heart in which the love of God and the love of neighbor have the first place and rule all the thoughts, words and actions. He often called it "perfect love," and he also used the Bible's own words, "holiness" and "entire sanctification." In his sermon "Christian Perfection" (1741) and in the Plain Account he said that it means to have the mind that was in Christ, as Paul wrote, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). He liked to speak of "holy tempers," meaning the settled inner dispositions that the Spirit grows in us: the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Yohana, mtume wa upendo, anaandika mstari ambao Wesley alitegemea mara nyingi: "Hapana hofu katika upendo; bali upendo kamili huitupa nje hofu" (1 Yohana 4:18). Sura hiyohiyo inasema kwamba Mungu ni upendo na kwamba akaaye katika upendo hukaa ndani ya Mungu (1 Yohana 4:16). Upendo kamili ni wazo la mtume Yohana kabla ya kuwa la Wesley.John, the apostle of love, writes the verse on which Wesley often leaned: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). The same chapter says that God is love and that he who abides in love abides in God (1 John 4:16). Perfect love is the apostle John's idea before it is Wesley's.

Charles Wesley aliweka tumaini hili katika wimbo. Katika "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (Upendo wa Kimungu, Unaopita Upendo Wote) anamwomba Bwana aingie moyoni na kukamilisha uumbaji wake mpya ndani yetu.Charles Wesley put this hope into song. In "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" he asks the Lord to come into the heart and to finish His new creation in us.

Biblia Inamaanisha Nini kwa "Mkamilifu"What the Bible Means by "Perfect"

Neno "mkamilifu" huwatisha watu wengi kwa sababu katika usemi wa kila siku linamaanisha "asiye na kosa lolote kabisa." Biblia hulitumia kwa njia tofauti. Neno la Kiebrania mara nyingi linalotafsiriwa "mkamilifu" au "asiye na hatia" linaweza kumaanisha mzima, kamili, au timamu. Nuhu, Abrahamu na Ayubu wanaelezwa kwa maneno kama hayo (Mwanzo 6:9; 17:1; Ayubu 1:1), na hakuna hata mmoja wao aliyekuwa bila kosa.The word "perfect" frightens many people because in everyday speech it means "without any fault at all." The Bible uses it differently. The Hebrew word often translated "perfect" or "blameless" can mean whole, complete, or sound. Noah, Abraham and Job are described with such words (Genesis 6:9; 17:1; Job 1:1), and none of them was without fault.

Neno la Kigiriki ni teleios. Linatokana na telos, linalomaanisha "mwisho" au "lengo." Kitu ni teleios kinapofikia lengo ambalo kiliumbwa kwa ajili yake: kamili, kimekua kikamilifu, kimekomaa. Paulo analitumia kwa waumini waliokomaa, tofauti na watoto wachanga (1 Wakorintho 2:6; 14:20). Mwandishi wa Waebrania anaweka tofauti kati ya maziwa kwa watoto wachanga na chakula kigumu kwa teleios, wale waliokomaa (Waebrania 5:14). Paulo anataka kumleta kila mtu "mkamilifu," yaani kamili, katika Kristo (Wakolosai 1:28), na Waefeso 4:13 inasema juu ya kukua hadi kipimo cha kimo cha utimilifu wa Kristo. Waebrania 6:1 inasema, "tuendelee mpaka ukamilifu." Yakobo anasema kwamba mtu asiyejikwaa katika neno lake ni teleios, anayeweza kuuongoza mwili wote kwa lijamu (Yakobo 3:2). Zingatia kwamba katika sentensi hiyohiyo Yakobo anasema "twajikwaa katika mambo mengi, sisi sote." Kwa hiyo mtu anaweza kuitwa mkamilifu na bado akajikwaa, kwa sababu neno hilo linamaanisha aliyekomaa na kamili, si asiye na kosa.The Greek word is teleios. It comes from telos, meaning "end" or "goal." A thing is teleios when it has reached the goal for which it was made: complete, full-grown, mature. Paul uses it for mature believers, as opposed to babes (1 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20). The writer to the Hebrews contrasts milk for babes with solid food for the teleios, those who are mature (Hebrews 5:14). Paul wants to present everyone "perfect," that is, complete, in Christ (Colossians 1:28), and Ephesians 4:13 speaks of growing to the measure of the full stature of Christ. Hebrews 6:1 says, "let us go on to perfection." James says that if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a teleios man, able to bridle the whole body (James 3:2). Notice that in the same sentence James says "we all stumble in many things." So a person can be called perfect and still stumble, because the word means mature and complete, not faultless.

Wafilipi 3 inaonyesha hili waziwazi. Katika mstari wa 12 Paulo anasema, "Si kwamba nimekwisha kupata hayo, au kwamba nimekwisha kukamilika." Mistari mitatu baadaye, anasema, "Basi, sisi tulio wakamilifu na tuwaze hayo" (mstari wa 15). Neno linalotafsiriwa "wakamilifu" ni la familia moja na "kukamilika." Paulo hajipingi. Anakana kwamba amefikia lengo la mwisho, ufufuo, na anakubali kwamba yeye na wengine wamekomaa kwa maana ya kukua kikamilifu katika Kristo. Wesley pia alibainisha kwamba Paulo anatumia neno hilo kwa maana zote mbili, kwa hiyo mwalimu lazima aseme anamaanisha ipi.Philippians 3 shows this plainly. In verse 12 Paul says, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected." Three verses later, he says, "Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind" (verse 15). The word translated "mature" is the same family as "perfected." Paul does not contradict himself. He denies that he has reached the final goal, the resurrection, and he affirms that he and others are mature in the sense of being full-grown in Christ. Wesley also noted that Paul uses the word in both senses, so a teacher must say which one he means.

Yesu anaposema, "Basi, ninyi mtakuwa wakamilifu, kama Baba yenu wa mbinguni alivyo mkamilifu" (Mathayo 5:48), anasema mwishoni mwa kifungu kuhusu kuwapenda adui zetu (mistari 43-47). Baba huwaangazia jua na kuwanyeshea mvua wenye haki na wasio haki. Kuwa mkamilifu kama yeye alivyo mkamilifu ni kupenda kama anavyopenda, bila mipaka. Huu ni upendo, si orodha ya mafanikio.When Jesus says, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), He is speaking at the end of a passage about loving our enemies (verses 43-47). The Father sends sun and rain on the just and the unjust. To be perfect as He is perfect is to love as He loves, without limits. This is love, not a list of achievements.

Ukamilifu Si NiniWhat Perfection Is Not

Wesley alikuwa mwangalifu sana, na alisema mara nyingi kile ambacho hakumaanisha. Orodha yake iko wazi, na mchungaji anapaswa kuijua vizuri.Wesley was very careful, and he said many times what he did not mean. His list is clear, and a pastor should know it well.

Si uhuru kutoka katika ujinga. Hata wale waliokamilishwa katika upendo hawajui kila kitu. Mtu aliyejaa upendo anaweza kuwa na wazo lisilo sahihi kuhusu tukio la kihistoria au kifungu cha Maandiko.It is not freedom from ignorance. Even those made perfect in love do not know everything. A person full of love may have a wrong idea about a historical fact or a passage of Scripture.

Si uhuru kutoka katika makosa. Mtu mwenye upendo anaweza kuhukumu vibaya, kutoa shauri baya, au kumwamini mtu asiyestahili.It is not freedom from mistakes. A loving person may judge wrongly, give bad advice, or trust someone who does not deserve it.

Si uhuru kutoka katika udhaifu. Ugonjwa, unyonge, kufikiri polepole, kumbukumbu hafifu na uchovu hubaki.It is not freedom from infirmities. Illness, weakness, slow thinking, a poor memory and tiredness remain.

Si uhuru kutoka katika majaribu. Yesu mwenyewe alijaribiwa (Waebrania 4:15). Kujaribiwa si dhambi.It is not freedom from temptation. Jesus Himself was tempted (Hebrews 4:15). Being tempted is not a sin.

Si ukamilifu kama wa Mungu, wala kama wa Adamu kabla ya anguko, wala kama wa malaika. Mungu peke yake ni mkamilifu bila kikomo. Ukamilifu wa mwanadamu daima ni zawadi na daima humtegemea yeye.It is not a perfection like God's, or like Adam's before the fall, or like that of the angels. God alone is perfect without limit. Human perfection is always a gift and always depends on Him.

Si mwisho wa kukua. Wesley alifundisha kwamba wale waliokamilishwa katika upendo wanaweza na lazima wakue katika upendo kila siku. Hakuna dari kwa kumpenda Mungu zaidi. Neno "ukamilifu" linaashiria mwisho, lakini Wesley alimaanisha moyo uliojaa unaoendelea kukua.It is not the end of growth. Wesley taught that those perfected in love can and must grow in love every day. There is no ceiling on loving God more. The word "perfection" suggests a finish, but Wesley meant a full heart that keeps growing.

Si hali isiyoweza kupotezwa. Wesley alifundisha kwamba mwamini aliyekamilishwa katika upendo anaweza kuanguka kutoka katika hali hiyo kwa kupuuza au kutotii. Lazima ulindwe kwa kukesha, kuomba na kutumia njia za neema.It is not a state that cannot be lost. Wesley taught that a believer made perfect in love can fall from it through neglect or disobedience. It must be kept by watching, prayer and use of the means of grace.

Dhambi "Kwa Maana Yake Halisi"Sin "Properly So Called"

Hoja kuu ya Wesley inahusu maana ya neno dhambi. Alifundisha kwamba, kwa maana kali, dhambi ni kuvunja kwa makusudi sheria inayojulikana ya Mungu. Hii ni dhambi kwa maana kamili na halisi. Mtu ambaye moyo wake umejaa upendo hachagui kuvunja sheria ya Mungu, wala hakubali kiburi, hasira au chuki. Lakini Wesley pia alisema kwamba kuna mapungufu yasiyo ya makusudi: matendo mabaya yanayotokana na ujinga, makosa au udhaifu, na kushindwa kupenda kama tunavyopaswa kupenda kikamilifu. Haya, alisema, si dhambi kwa maana kali, kwa sababu mapenzi hayajaelekezwa dhidi ya Mungu. Hata hivyo yanapungukiwa na sheria kamilifu ya upendo, na yanahitaji rehema ya Kristo.Wesley's chief point is about the meaning of the word sin. He taught that, strictly speaking, sin is a willful breaking of a known law of God. This is sin in the full and proper sense. A person whose heart is filled with love does not choose to break God's law, and does not give way to pride, anger or hatred. But Wesley also said that there are shortcomings which are not willful: wrong actions that come from ignorance, mistakes or weakness, and failures to love as perfectly as we should. These, he said, are not sin in the strict sense, because the will is not set against God. Yet they fall short of the perfect law of love, and they need the mercy of Christ.

Hili ni jambo la msingi. Wesley hakusema kwamba mwamini aliyekamilishwa hana haja ya msalaba. Aliandika kwamba mapungufu kama hayo yanahitaji damu ya upatanisho ya Kristo, na kwamba mwamini aliyekamilika katika upendo huomba kila siku, "Utusamehe deni zetu" (Mathayo 6:12). Kwa hiyo hakufundisha kile ambacho kwa kawaida huitwa "ukamilifu usio na dhambi," kwa maana hakuna mwamini anayesimama mbele za Mungu kwa msingi wa rekodi yake mwenyewe. Mwamini aliyekamilishwa katika upendo anamtegemea Kristo kama vile mtu aliyeongoka karibuni.This is a crucial point. Wesley did not say that the perfected believer has no need of the cross. He wrote that such failings need the atoning blood of Christ, and that the believer who is perfect in love prays every day, "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12). He therefore did not teach what is usually called "sinless perfection," for no believer stands before God on the ground of his own record. A believer perfected in love depends on Christ as much as a new convert does.

Baadhi ya wakosoaji wa Wesley, wakati huo na sasa, wanasema kwamba alibadilisha maana ya neno dhambi ili kufanya fundisho lake lisikike linawezekana. Tunajibu kwamba tofauti ya Wesley si hila. Inafuata jinsi Biblia yenyewe inavyosema. Sheria ya Agano la Kale ilitofautisha dhambi zilizotendwa "kwa kukosea" na dhambi zilizotendwa "kwa jeuri" (Hesabu 15:27-31). Mtume Yohana anatenganisha dhambi iletayo mauti na dhambi nyingine (1 Yohana 5:16-17). Paulo anasema hajijui kuwa na kosa lolote, lakini kwa hilo hakuhesabiwa haki, na Bwana ndiye anayemhukumu (1 Wakorintho 4:4).Some of Wesley's critics, then and now, say that he changed the meaning of the word sin in order to make his doctrine sound possible. We reply that Wesley's distinction is not a trick. It follows how the Bible itself speaks. The Old Testament law distinguished sins done "unintentionally" from sins done "defiantly" (Numbers 15:27-31). The apostle John separates the sin that leads to death from other sin (1 John 5:16-17). Paul says he does not know of anything against himself, yet he is not justified by that, and the Lord is his judge (1 Corinthians 4:4).

Ukamilifu Ni NiniWhat Perfection Is

Ikiwa upendo kamili si uhuru kutoka katika ujinga, makosa na majaribu, basi ni nini? Jibu la Wesley lina sehemu nne.If perfect love is not freedom from ignorance, mistakes and temptation, what is it? Wesley's answer has four parts.

Kwanza, ni moyo uliosafishwa kutoka katika tabia mbaya ambazo Kipindi 2 kiliziita mwili au dhambi ya ndani iliyozaliwa nayo: kiburi, kujitakia mapenzi yake mwenyewe, hasira, wivu, tamaa mbaya na kutokuamini. Maandiko yanaahidi usafi huu. Mungu alisema kupitia Ezekieli kwamba atawasafisha watu wake na uchafu wao wote (Ezekieli 36:25). Paulo anawaita waumini wajitakase na uchafu wote wa mwili na roho (2 Wakorintho 7:1). Yohana anasema kwamba damu ya Yesu Kristo Mwanawe yatusafisha dhambi yote (1 Yohana 1:7).First, it is a heart cleansed from the evil dispositions that Unit 2 called the flesh or inbred sin: pride, self-will, anger, envy, lust and unbelief. The Scriptures promise this cleansing. God said through Ezekiel that He would cleanse His people from all their uncleanness (Ezekiel 36:25). Paul calls believers to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). John says that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Pili, ni moyo uliojaa upendo. Paulo anaomba kwamba Bwana awajaze Wathesalonike na kuwafanya wazidi na kufurika katika upendo wao kwa wao na kwa watu wote, ili aziimarishe mioyo yao pasipo lawama katika utakatifu (1 Wathesalonike 3:12-13). Upendo ni upande chanya wa fundisho, na kusafishwa ni upande wake hasi.Second, it is a heart filled with love. Paul prays that the Lord would make the Thessalonians increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that He may establish their hearts blameless in holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). Love is the positive side of the doctrine, and the cleansing is its negative side.

Tatu, ni maisha ambamo upendo hutawala mwenendo, na maneno na kazi vinaelekezwa kwa utukufu wa Mungu na kwa faida ya majirani.Third, it is a life in which love governs the conduct, with words and work directed to the glory of God and the good of neighbors.

Nne, ni kitu ambacho Mungu anaahidi kwa maisha haya. Amri za Maandiko zinadokeza uwezekano wa utii, na Paulo anaomba kwa ajili yake (1 Wathesalonike 5:23-24). Wesley alifundisha kwamba Wakristo wanaweza kuupokea kabla ya kifo, si wakati wa kifo tu. Jinsi na lini unakuja ndilo somo la Kipindi 4, na Kipindi 5 kitachunguza mtazamo wa harakati ya Utakatifu.Fourth, it is something God promises for this life. The commands of Scripture imply the possibility of obedience, and Paul prays for it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Wesley taught that Christians may receive it before death, not only at death. How and when it comes is the subject of Unit 4, and Unit 5 will examine the view of the Holiness movement.

Rafiki ya Wesley, John Fletcher, mchungaji wa Madeley, alilitetea fundisho hili katika kitabu chake Checks to Antinomianism (Vizuizi dhidi ya Kupinga Sheria).Wesley's friend John Fletcher, vicar of Madeley, defended the doctrine in his Checks to Antinomianism.

Maswali ya WanahistoriaHistorians' Questions

Wanahistoria huuliza kama fikra za Wesley zilibadilika kwa miaka mingi na zilitoka wapi. Wengine wanasema kwamba msisitizo wake ulihama kutoka mchakato wa polepole kuelekea uzoefu wa papo hapo, hasa katika miaka ya 1760. Wengine wanasema kwamba mafundisho yake yalikuwa yaleyale siku zote na kwamba ni jinsi ya kuyaeleza tu iliyobadilika. Tunayo historia ya Wesley mwenyewe ya mafundisho yake katika Plain Account, inayoonyesha kwamba alishikilia wazo kuu la moyo uliotolewa kabisa kwa Mungu na kujazwa upendo tangu miaka yake ya awali. Wasomi wengine wanabainisha kwamba Wesley alisoma waandishi wa kanisa la kwanza la Mashariki waliosema juu ya kukua katika mfano wa Mungu, na wanajadili ni kiasi gani alichukua kutoka kwao. Imani yetu inategemea Maandiko, si historia ya wazo.Historians ask whether Wesley's thought changed over the years and where it came from. Some say that his emphasis moved from a gradual process toward a more instantaneous experience, especially in the 1760s. Others argue that his teaching was always the same and that only his way of explaining it changed. We have Wesley's own history of his teaching in the Plain Account, which shows that he held the central idea of a heart wholly given to God and filled with love from his early years. Other scholars point out that Wesley read writers of the early Eastern church who spoke of growth into the likeness of God, and they debate how much he took from them. Our confidence rests on Scripture, not on the history of an idea.

Pingamizi na Majibu ya Wafuasi wa WesleyObjections and Wesleyan Answers

Pingamizi 1: Maandiko yanasema hakuna mtu asiye na dhambi. Walimu wa Kireformed na wengine wanataja 1 Yohana 1:8, Mhubiri 7:20, Mithali 20:9, na Warumi 3:23, na wanataja Wafilipi 3:12. Wanasema kwamba Kristo peke yake ni mkamilifu.Objection 1: Scripture says no one is without sin. Reformed and other teachers cite 1 John 1:8, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Proverbs 20:9, and Romans 3:23, and they cite Philippians 3:12. They say that Christ alone is perfect.

Jibu letu. Tunakubali kwamba Kristo peke yake ni mkamilifu ndani yake mwenyewe, na kwamba kila ukamilifu wa mwanadamu umeazimwa kutoka kwake. Warumi 3 inaeleza wanadamu walio nje ya Kristo. 1 Yohana 1:8 inasema juu ya kukana kwamba tumewahi kuwa na dhambi (tulilishughulikia katika Kipindi 2). Mhubiri 7:20 inatoka wakati kabla ya msalaba na kabla Roho kumwagwa juu ya wote wenye mwili, na haiwezi kuweka kikomo juu ya yale agano jipya linayoahidi. Wafilipi 3:12 inakana kufikia lengo la mwisho, si ukomavu, kama Wafilipi 3:15 inavyoonyesha. Mtazamo wa Wesley haukatai mistari hii yoyote. Unaisoma pamoja na mistari kuhusu kusafishwa na kuhusu upendo kamili.Our answer. We agree that Christ alone is perfect in Himself, and that every human perfection is borrowed from Him. Romans 3 describes humanity outside of Christ. First John 1:8 speaks of denying that we have ever had sin (we dealt with it in Unit 2). Ecclesiastes 7:20 comes from a time before the cross and before the Spirit was poured out on all flesh, and it cannot limit what the new covenant promises. Philippians 3:12 denies final attainment, not maturity, as Philippians 3:15 shows. The Wesleyan view does not deny any of these verses. It reads them together with the verses about cleansing and about perfect love.

Pingamizi 2: Fundisho hili linasababisha kiburi. Mtu anayedai kuwa mkamilifu, kwa dai hilo, ana kiburi.Objection 2: The doctrine leads to pride. A person who claims to be perfect is, by that claim, proud.

Jibu letu. Hatari ni ya kweli. Lakini upendo kamili unajumuisha unyenyekevu. Mtu aliyejaa upendo kwa Mungu anaona ukuu wake na uhitaji wake mwenyewe, na hajisifu. Kwa hiyo mapokeo ya Wesley yamewafundisha waumini kuwa wapole kutangaza jambo hili juu yao wenyewe, na kuwaacha wengine waone katika matunda yao. Kiburi kinapoonekana, huonyesha kwamba upendo haupo.Our answer. The danger is real. But perfect love includes humility. A person full of love for God sees His greatness and his own need and does not boast. The Wesleyan tradition has therefore taught believers to be slow to announce it about themselves, and to let others see it in their fruit. Where pride appears, it shows that love is missing.

Pingamizi 3: Kwa nini kutumia neno hatari kama hilo? Wengine wanawaomba wafuasi wa Wesley waache neno "ukamilifu."Objection 3: Why use such a dangerous word? Some ask Wesleyans to drop the word "perfection."

Jibu letu. Neno hilo liko katika Biblia (Mathayo 5:48; Wafilipi 3:15; Waebrania 6:1). Mchungaji anapaswa kulitumia kwa uangalifu, kulieleza, na kupendelea "upendo kamili" na "utakatifu." Lakini hatupaswi kuona aibu kwa yale Maandiko yanayosema.Our answer. The word is in the Bible (Matthew 5:48; Philippians 3:15; Hebrews 6:1). A pastor should use it with care, explain it, and prefer "perfect love" and "holiness." But we should not be ashamed of what Scripture says.

Pingamizi 4: Fundisho hili linafundisha ukamilifu usio na dhambi. Wengine, wakiwemo baadhi ya wafuasi wa Wesley, wanafikiri hivyo.Objection 4: The doctrine teaches sinless perfection. Some, including some Wesleyans, think it does.

Jibu letu. Kama tulivyoona, Wesley hakufundisha hivyo. Alifundisha uhuru kutoka katika dhambi ya makusudi na kutoka katika tabia mbaya za moyo, si uhuru kutoka katika kila upungufu.Our answer. As we have seen, Wesley did not teach that. He taught freedom from willful sin and from the evil dispositions of the heart, not freedom from all imperfection.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Mwanamke mmoja katika kusanyiko lako ana umri wa miaka themanini. Jumapili iliyopita mhubiri mgeni alisema kwamba wafuasi wa Wesley wanaamini ukamilifu. Baada ya ibada anakuambia, "Mchungaji, nasahau maneno yangu, mikono yangu inatetemeka, na jana nilimkasirikia mjukuu wangu. Mtu anawezaje kusema nimekamilika?"A woman in your congregation is eighty years old. Last Sunday a visiting preacher said that Wesleyans believe in perfection. After the service she says to you, "Pastor, I forget my words, my hands shake, and yesterday I lost my temper at my grandson. How could anyone say I am perfect?"

Unamwambia yuko sahihi kwamba hajakamilika katika maarifa, nguvu wala kumbukumbu, na hakuna Mkristo yeyote aliyekamilika katika mambo hayo. Unamweleza kwamba Wesley alifundisha upendo kamili: moyo unaomtaka Mungu kwanza na kumpenda jirani, ingawa mwili na akili ni dhaifu. Unamuuliza kama anataka kumpenda Mungu kwa moyo wake wote. Anasema ndiyo. Unamwambia kwamba Mungu ameahidi hili, na kwamba ni kwa ajili yake, kama ilivyo kwa vijana. Unamkumbusha kwamba mtaomba pamoja ili Mungu asafishe hasira iliyoinuka jana na kumjaza upendo. Na unamhakikishia kwamba anategemea rehema ya Kristo kila siku, kama kila mwamini.You tell her she is right that she is not perfect in knowledge, strength or memory, and neither is any Christian. You explain that Wesley taught perfect love: a heart that wants God first and loves its neighbor, even though the body and mind are weak. You ask her whether she wishes to love God with all her heart. She says yes. You tell her that God has promised this, and that it is for her, as it is for the young. You remind her that you will pray together that God will cleanse the temper that rose up yesterday and fill her with love. And you assure her that she depends on Christ's mercy every day, as every believer does.

MuhtasariSummary

Kwa Wesley, ukamilifu wa Kikristo ni upendo kamili: upendo wa Mungu na wa jirani ukijaza moyo na kutawala maisha (Mathayo 22:37-40). Neno la Biblia teleios linamaanisha kamili na aliyekomaa, kwa hiyo Paulo anaweza kusema bado hajakamilishwa na pia kujiita mkomavu (Wafilipi 3:12-15). Ukamilifu si uhuru kutoka katika ujinga, makosa, udhaifu wala majaribu. Si kama ukamilifu wa Mungu, hauisha kukua, na unaweza kupotezwa. Wesley alitofautisha dhambi kwa maana yake halisi, yaani kuvunja kwa makusudi sheria inayojulikana, na mapungufu yasiyo ya hiari ambayo bado yanahitaji damu ya Kristo. Ni moyo uliosafishwa kutoka katika tabia mbaya na kujazwa upendo, ulioahidiwa kwa maisha haya. Tunajibu pingamizi kutoka 1 Yohana 1:8 na Mhubiri 7:20, shtaka la kiburi, swali kuhusu neno lenyewe, na shtaka la ukamilifu usio na dhambi, kutoka katika Maandiko na maneno ya Wesley mwenyewe.For Wesley, Christian perfection is perfect love: the love of God and neighbor filling the heart and governing life (Matthew 22:37-40). The biblical word teleios means complete and mature, so Paul can say he is not yet perfected and also call himself mature (Philippians 3:12-15). Perfection is not freedom from ignorance, mistakes, infirmities or temptation. It is not like God's perfection, it does not end growth, and it can be lost. Wesley distinguished sin properly so called, a willful breaking of a known law, from involuntary shortcomings which still need the blood of Christ. It is a heart cleansed from evil dispositions and filled with love, promised for this life. We answer the objections from 1 John 1:8 and Ecclesiastes 7:20, the charge of pride, the question about the word, and the charge of sinless perfection from Scripture and Wesley's own words.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Maelezo Mafupi ya Ukamilifu wa Kikristo) (1766).• John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (1766).

• John Wesley, "Christian Perfection" (Ukamilifu wa Kikristo), katika Sermons (Mahubiri) yake.• John Wesley, "Christian Perfection," in his Sermons.

• John Wesley, Notes on the New Testament (Maelezo juu ya Agano Jipya), juu ya Mathayo 5:48, Wafilipi 3 na 1 Yohana 4.• John Wesley, Notes on the New Testament, on Matthew 5:48, Philippians 3 and 1 John 4.

• John Fletcher, Checks to Antinomianism (Vizuizi dhidi ya Kupinga Sheria).• John Fletcher, Checks to Antinomianism.

• Charles Wesley, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (Upendo wa Kimungu, Unaopita Upendo Wote), na nyimbo nyingine kuhusu upendo kamili.• Charles Wesley, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," and other hymns on perfect love.

• Holiness Through the Ages (Utakatifu Katika Karne Zote) (Coleman, Danielson na Parry), kitabu cha kiada cha Shahada ya Uzamili kwa kozi hii.• Holiness Through the Ages (Coleman, Danielson and Parry), the Master's textbook for this course.

Wasilisha mtihani na uone kama umefauluSubmit Exam & Check Pass Anza upyaReset