The term "sinless perfection" has been used to describe entire sanctification in order to produce a straw man that is easily toppled by 1 John 1:8.
While the doctrine itself, does not purport that sin is eradicated from us, so that we might be without sin; but rather that sin, which indwells us as believers, can be rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour.
Thus the following verses,
1Jo 1:8, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
are not in contradiction to each other as they are taken literally; for they are also found within the immediate context of each other.
Here are a few other verses that show that entire sanctification is a viable doctrine in holy scripture.
1Th 5:23, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Heb 10:14, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
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1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1Jo 2:6, He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
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1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 2:17, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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Jde 1:24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
2Pe 1:10, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1Jo 2:10, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
These verses declare that the believer can indeed walk in consistent victory over sin in absolute freedom for an extended period of time.
Thus the heresy of "the inevitability of sin" is here refuted; and for those who desire it, the teaching that we can indeed be sanctified wholly will bring us to victory.
And, this is also good news to all those who have come to the same place in their hearts and minds that Paul spoke of in Romans 7:24.
Rom 7:24, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
For in Romans 7:14-21, Paul is using the literary tactic of IDENTIFICATION; identifying himself as carnal in order to define carnality for his readers. He here becomes as weak in order to gain the weak (1 Corinthians 9:22).
In all reality the context bears out that in Romans 7:14-25 Paul is identifying the law of sin and death; and in Romans 8:2 he declares his victory over the law of sin and death.
If Paul were actually carnal when he wrote Romans 7:14-25, then he would not have been penning actual holy scripture. For it is written,
2Pe 1:20, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Therefore in order for Paul to have been penning holy scripture, he had to be holy at the time.
I conclude that he was indeed using a literary tactic; in which he became as weak in order to win those who are weak (1 Corinthians 9:22).
His point?
That if anyone is truly born again and yet living a Romans 7:14-25 lifestyle, they will be discontented with such a lifestyle of sinning.
Therefore the doctrine of entire sanctification would indeed be good news to them.
Finally, the scriptures that I have given are divine promises; and in Romans 4:20-22 we find that righteousness is imputed to the one who believes in such divine promises that they will be accomplished in his or her life.
Rom 4:20, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21, And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22, And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23, Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24, But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
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