It’s a famous saying,
“Nobody is perfect”
It is used a lot by secular people and even by Christians as an excuse for sinninng…
But does it stand the test of Scripture?
No! It does not!
Jesus said: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." - Matthew 5:48 (KJV)
Ironically, I believe that the answer lays in what people
jokingly add to this cliché:
“Nobody is perfect,
I am nobody”
You must become nobody:
John the baptist said:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
– John 3:30 (GNV)
[Jesus said:
“Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me,
cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
– Luke 14:27-33 (KJV)
(Check out the article “Accountancy” for more information on this paragraph.)]
‘Does this mean God (Jesus) expects us to be perfect?
Yes. Jesus said: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) and “go and sin no more.” (John 8:11b) but this does not mean that we immediately lose our salvation if we sin! “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) God’s grace should not be diminished by anyone! As long as we are open to repent if the Holy Spirit corrects us (John 16:8), we can obtain forgiveness, as it is written: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
What is perfection?
Perfection is fulfilling the law perfectly in what Jesus said:
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
“He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8b, RSV)
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9)
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) [Check out “The Law of Love” for more information.]
Is it possible to reach this perfection?
Yes! You have reached it whenever you asked Jesus for complete forgiveness for all your sins that you have committed “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 john 1:7b) So it is better to ask:
“How long can I keep this perfection?” / “Is it possible to keep perfection?”
As long as you don’t give in to temptation! Yes!
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
‘Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.‘ (James 1:13-15)’
(This part is taken from my upcoming document “resurrection”, all Scripture passages taken from the New King James Version – NKJV -.)
A very important note/conclusion to this list of questions:
How Long will you remain faithful? Will you try to remain faithful?
Or do you love your sin more than you love Jesus Christ?
The apostle John wrote:
“Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
– 1 John 3:3b (NKJV)
For those who still don’t believe in the doctrine of Christian Perfection, Ramon Carroll wrote down a list of biblical references, including a little commentary:
‘
- Gen 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God”
- Gen 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
- Deut 18:13 “Thou shalt be perfect with Yahweh thy God”
- 2 Sam 22:33 “God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.”
- 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be perfect with Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.”
- 1 Kings 11:4 “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
- 1 Kings 15:14 “But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart wasperfect with Yahweh all his days.”
- 2 Kings 20:3 “I beseech thee, O Yahweh, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”
- 1 Chron 16:9 “For the eyes of Yahweh run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”
- 1 Chron 19:9 “And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.”
- Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
- Job 1:8 “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
- Job 2:3 “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
- Psalm 18:32 “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”
- Psalm 37:37 “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
- Psalm 64:4 “That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.”
- Psalm 101:2 “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
- Psalm 101:6 “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”
- Psalm 138:8 “Yahweh will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Yahweh, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
- Prov 2:21 “For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.”
- Prov 11:5 “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.”
- Matt 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
- Matt 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
- Luke 6:40 “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”
- Luke 8:14 “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
- John 17:23 “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
- 1 Cor 2:6 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:”
- 2 Cor 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
- 2 Cor 13:9 “For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection”
- 2 Cor 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
- Eph 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”
- Phil 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
- Col 1:28 “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”
- Col 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
- 2 Tim 3:17 “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
- Heb 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on untoperfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God”
- Heb 13:21 “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
- James 1:4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
- James 2:22 “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith madeperfect?”
- 1 Pet 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
- 1 John 4:12 “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
- Rev 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God”
If you are one of those who settles for “imperfection” then the last scripture should really hit home. Read the full context. There is no way that there are this many scriptures teaching not only the possibility but the actuality of perfection in the lives of saints, and people are still teaching that “no one can be perfect”. Why would God EVER command such a thing if it were not possible? Why would anyone in the scriptures speak about men who WERE perfect if no man is able to be perfect? There are too many scriptures to explain away and reinterpret. The problem with many is that they lack faith in the commandments of God and in the power of God in the lives of his children. If you believe and do not doubt NOTHING shall be in possible for you.’
Ramon Carroll, “No one can be perfect? So many Scriptures to consider. Too many to explain away” (facebook note).
Arthur W. Pink wrote:
‘The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented
by the present-day “evangelist.”
He announces a Saviour from Hell, rather than a Saviour from sin.
And that is why so many are fatally deceived,
for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness. The very first thing said of Him in the N.T. is,
“thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people (not “from the wrath to come”, but) from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
Christ is a Saviour for those realizing something of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, who feel the awful burden of it on their conscience, who loathe themselves for it, who long to be freed from its terrible dominion; and a Saviour for no others.
Were He to “save from Hell” those who were still in love with sin, He would be the Minister of sin, condoning their wickedness and siding with them against God. What an unspeakably horrible and blasphemous thing with which to charge the Holy One!’
– Arthur W. Pink, Studies on Saving Faith, Part I – Signs of the Times
And Charles G. Finney:
‘The impression of many seems to be, that grace will pardon what it cannot prevent; in other words, that if the grace of the Gospel fails to save people from the commission of sin in this life; it will nevertheless pardon them and save them in sin, if it cannot save them from sin.
Now, really, I understand the Gospel as teaching that men are saved from sin first, and as a consequence, from hell; and not that they are saved from hell while they are not saved from sin. Christ sanctifies when he saves. And this is the very first element or idea of salvation, saving from sin. “Thou shall call his name Jesus,” said the angel, “for he shall save his people from their sins.” “Having raised up his Son Jesus,” says the apostle, “he hath sent him to bless you in turning every one of you from his iniquities.”
Let no one expect to saved from hell, unless the grace of the Gospel saves him first from sin.’
– Charles G. Finney, Any One Form of Sin Persisted In is Fatal to The Soul, The Oberlin Evangelist; September 11, 1861
To read Charles G. Finney’s important preaching, click here. OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT MISUNDERSTAND THIS WHOLE ARTICLE!
The apostle John wrote:
“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God commits sin; for God’s nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.”
– 1 John 3:7-10 (RSV)
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.”
– 1 John 2:1a (KJV)
To those who want to confess their sins, after sinning, he wrote:
“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
– 1 John 2:1 (KJV)
As Paul wrote:
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
– Hebrews 4:14-16 (RSV)
To those who have confessed their sins, John wrote as an assurance to those who still feel guilty, after having confessed their sins:
“If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
– 1 John 3:20b (NKJV)
“For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world;
and this is the victory that conquers the world,
even our faith.”
– 1 John 5:4 (AMP)
“Anyone who trusts in Him [= Jesus Christ]
will never be disappointed.”
– 1 Peter 2:6b (NCV, added “[= Jesus Christ]”)
The moment you repent, you reach Christian Perfection! Keep it!
And should you fall, you must repent again!
Lest after a while (“A Time to Repent“) the Holy Spirit leaves you and you lose your salvation (“Conditional Security“).
If you’ve ever had a real repentance, you have reached perfection by Christ’s “Imputed Righteousness” (Governmental view).
If you’ve never had a real repentance, check out “Any One Form of Sin Persisted In is Fatal to The Soul” (by Charles G. Finney).
If you’ve lost it, get it again! (free forgiveness, by faith alone, through the same “Imputed Righteousness“)
Read also on the “Governmental Theory of The Atonement” on how Christ can freely forgive you.
Read also “Sin is Not Natural” on why perfection is natural and sinning is not.
“Grace indeed freely discharges sins,
but with the consent and choice of the believer.”
– Pelagius
To read Charles G. Finney’s important preaching, click here. OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT MISUNDERSTAND THIS WHOLE ARTICLE!
Read also “Will You resist Temptation?“
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Source: Christopher Ryan Cole (facebook)
by faith escape the snare of the devil
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