Of course. The topic of "sinless perfection" is a significant one in Ellen White's writings, and she addresses it with great care and clarity.
She makes a clear distinction between the absolute, inherent sinlessness of Christ and the "perfection of character" that believers are to strive for through His grace.
### 1. Caution Against Claiming Sinless Perfection
First and foremost, Ellen White strongly cautioned against anyone claiming to have achieved a state of sinlessness. She taught that true holiness is unconscious of itself and would never boast.
* "No one who claims holiness is really holy. Those who are registered as holy in the books of heaven are not aware of the fact, and are the last ones to boast of their own goodness." (
AA 562.2)
* "Those who are fighting the battle of life for victory over self and all evil, are the last ones to make a boast of their holiness. The more they view the character of Christ, the less they see in themselves to approve." (ST, March 27, 1884)
* "Let none of our ministers preach the theory that we can be sinlessly perfect in this life. There is no such thing as sinless perfection in this life." (
18MR 79.2)
### 2. Christ, the Only Sinless One
She consistently upheld Christ as the only human being who ever lived a life completely free from sin.
* "He was a perfect man, not in form and feature, but in character. He was sinless." (
4T 449.2)
* "Tempted in all points as we are, He stood sinless before the world. He is our example." (
HP 149.4)
### 3. The True Meaning of Perfection: Character Perfection
When Ellen White speaks of "perfection," she is referring to the perfection of Christian character—a complete surrender to God's will and a life that reflects the character of Jesus. This is a goal to be pursued, not a state to be claimed.
* "The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people." (
DA 671.4)
* "When we are complete in Christ, we shall have a character that is a copy of the character of Christ. This is Christian perfection." (
18MR 20.2)
### 4. A Lifelong Process of Growth (Sanctification)
This character perfection is not achieved in a moment but is the result of a lifelong process of growth, which the Bible calls sanctification.
* "Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ." (
AA 560.2)
* "We cannot say, 'I am sinless,' till this vile body is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body." (
3SM 355.3)
### 5. Victory Over Sin Through Christ
While we cannot claim sinlessness, we can, through the power of Christ, gain victory over known sins. The goal is to live a life of continual victory through a moment-by-moment connection with Him.
* "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven." (
MYP 35.1)
* "He does not promise them that they shall have perfection in a day or a month, but he does promise them that if they will be partakers of the divine nature, they shall have grace to grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus." (BEcho, October 1, 1892)
In summary, Ellen White teaches that while absolute "sinless perfection" is not attainable in this life, believers are called to "character perfection." This is a lifelong journey of surrendering to Christ, allowing His Spirit to transform them into His image and grant them victory over sin day by day.