Does God Accept Imperfect Obedience?

[Darkhorse]

there is no such animal as imperfect obedience.

Does God accept "imperfect obedience"?

Does Christ save only those who obey the law?

Imperfect obedience is the very best humans can do.

If God doesn't accept it, and Christ saves only those who obey the Law, then we are ALL doomed.

 

[Thursday]

Does God accept "imperfect obedience"?

Yes.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

[AarontheStudent]

I think you are misusing the word, which is why there's some confusion here.

Jesus atoned; we repent.

Correct. Thank you.

I meant to write be atoned. I've been awake 24+ hrs. The noggin needs some rest.

 

[Robert76]

Lately, the sheer number of posts which explicitly and implicitly state that Jesus saves only those who keep the law has been astounding. Most of those claiming such don't claim moral perfection, but quite frankly, I would have less of a problem with them if they did, because there is no such animal as imperfect obedience.

Does God accept "imperfect obedience"?

Does Christ save only those who obey the law?

I would say no, God does not accept imperfect obedience - hence, John 3-16 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

We are saved (justified) when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, placing our trust in Him for our salvation. At the moment of our salvation, we then spend the rest of our lives being made into the likeness of Christ (sanctification) at which time we are brought into glorification when we stand before the Lord. So the steps/stages/phases of salvation are (1) justification, (2) sanctification, and (3) glorification.

The analogy I've heard is to imagine we are drowning out in the middle of a lake/ocean (like drowning in our sin). A rescue boat (Jesus) comes by and trows us a life saver. At that moment we are saved (justified). Now we're still out on the water, just no longer drowning. As the boat is going in to shore we are 'being saved' still (sanctification), right? Finally, as the boat arrives at shore, we are "saved" (glorification), yet now in all respects.

Why I mention all this is to illustrate that sanctification is not once-and-done as is justification... remember, we are not made fully like Christ until we stand before Him (when we are glorified). As such, we can conclude that until that moment occurs, we are imperfect (we are not without sin nor are we perfect in our obedience)... though we are progressively becoming more like Christ along the way.

 

[Mountainmike]

No amount of works are sufficient for salvation.

But in my view woe to those who use that as excuse not to do them!

Christ saves who he will, and all fall short.

But he clearly takes a dim view of some of those who don't do any of what he asks , as the parable of sheep and goats clearly says. We are commanded to do many other things as well if we want to be raised up , take "eat my body, drink my blood".

So Woe betide those who don't: they are taking a chance, saying to our Lord , " ah but my friends on christianforums said faith alone would save me"
Our Lord can say ... " but I asked you to do all these as well, to show me you have faith" "Did you not read sheep and goats, why did you do none of those things" and " worse still....why did you tell others they did not have to either?"

You had better be ready with The excuse , and it had better be good!

 

[Hamthan Jess]

Lately, the sheer number of posts which explicitly and implicitly state that Jesus saves only those who keep the law has been astounding. Most of those claiming such don't claim moral perfection, but quite frankly, I would have less of a problem with them if they did, because there is no such animal as imperfect obedience.

Does God accept "imperfect obedience"?

Does Christ save only those who obey the law?

The Almighty God, in spite of all that He could have done, came down and RECEIVED all the BAD that He did not DESERVE so that We will RECEIVE all the BLESSINGS that We don't deserve. Because of the Cross.
I believe God love our every imperfections. God bless!

 

[faroukfarouk]

What really counts is saving faith in the One Who was 'obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross' (Philippians 2).

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Yes.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Great verse. What does it have to do with this thread?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I would say no, God does not accept imperfect obedience - hence, John 3-16 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Amein !

Even a heart divided, I think somewhere it is written, is rejected, or at least judged/ disciplined/ chastised according to YHWH'S WORD, Perfect Justice, Perfect Mercy in Yeshua's Faithfulness....

Only those with a pure heart will ever see heaven. As written in God's Word.

Would anyone , anyone anywhere, with a pure heart, defile God's Name ? (no)

 

[Dartman]

Yes.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Great verse. What does it have to do with this thread?

The verse explains the process whereby imperfect obedience can be reconciled.
It has EVERYTHING to do with your thread.

 

[Hammster]

The verse explains the process whereby imperfect obedience can be reconciled.
It has EVERYTHING to do with your thread.

If imperfect obedience is accepted, why does it need to be reconciled?

 

[Dartman]

The verse explains the process whereby imperfect obedience can be reconciled.
It has EVERYTHING to do with your thread.

If imperfect obedience is accepted, why does it need to be reconciled?

Exactly.
The FACT that God has provided a means of reconciliation, demonstrates/proves that imperfect obedience isn't accepted.

 

[ladodgers6]

What I understand Paul saying here is this: the law becoming 'weakened by the flesh' refers to the law becoming more and more a work of man's hands rather than a work of God's breath. But since God is a just God, the law can be fulfilled inside of us and not outside of us through our works, because God breathes the Holy Ghost into our hearts when we accept Him.

Reading the rest of Romans and other works attributed to Paul will only support this.

I like this, but the first Adam was created in perfect righteousness & holiness, fully capable of fulfilling God's command. 18Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,.So now we are under the Law's curse, not because of our flesh, but because of sin! We need to be freed from the bondage of the Law! This is why Christ came to fulfill the Law perfectly through His righteousness in the flesh! He also condemned sin the flesh; 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Exactly.
The FACT that God has provided a means of reconciliation, demonstrates/proves that imperfect obedience isn't accepted.

You seem to have answered in contradictory ways.

 

[pescador]

Exactly.
The FACT that God has provided a means of reconciliation, demonstrates/proves that imperfect obedience isn't accepted.

Once we're reconciled to God through Christ, there is no such thing as imperfect obedience.

 

[ladodgers6]

Exactly.
The FACT that God has provided a means of reconciliation, demonstrates/proves that imperfect obedience isn't accepted.

So a believer has to be perfectly holy, without a single blemish of sin, is what you are suggesting?

 

[ladodgers6]

Once we're reconciled to God through Christ, there is no such thing as imperfect obedience.

Amen!!!

 

[Hammster]

You seem to have answered in contradictory ways.

So it's not just me.

 

[Dartman]

You seem to have answered in contradictory ways.

You seem to be confused.

 

[Dartman]

Once we're reconciled to God through Christ, there is no such thing as imperfect obedience.

Being reconciled to God isn't an event. It is a result of the process explained in 1 John 1:9, which is required any time we fail to obey.