Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Jason, In this lifetime, we will never be perfectly victorious over sin according to 1 John 1:8, but that should still be our goal. With God’s help, and by following the principles of His Word, we can progressively deal with sin and become more and more like Christ.
But the Scriptures actually say..........
John 3:16.....
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life” .
You said:Acts 16:31.......
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
In an effort to distinguish true faith from mere assent, some, YOU have found it necessary to add requirements to the single requirement of faith for salvation. In keeping with this goal, they/YOU have required a person who wants to be saved to accept the lordship of Christ and to promise to serve the Lord from then on and to KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
You said:This has been made a prerequisite to faith. This view is contradicted in Scripture where works follow faith but do not precede it. That is why in Ephesians 2:9 the apostle Paul makes it very explicit when he says, “Not by works so that no one can boast.”
He goes on to say that we have to be renewed to do good works, “for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” in Eph. 2:10.
You said:God bless you Jason and I pray that you will consider all of these tings.
The qualifiers to this statement are 'Once, truly, come to, accept. They are words that are necessary because eternal security doesn't submit to observation.We can not lose our salvation ONCE we truly come to and accept the finished work of the Lord Jesus as the payment for our sins.
Another reasonable meaning is, if our love for others is without conditions. Did we love Jesus in the poor without imposing our personal conditions.That is why Jesus said.........."DEPART from Me , I NEVER KNEW YOU"!
The statement you make here is qualified by these words ' IF, Claims, Known sin, fruits' are necessary because eternal security isn't observable. It is seen by fruits. But fruits in of themselves are difficult to knowHowever, IF A PERSON CLAIMS to be saved who was a murderer, and keeps right on killing people then FRUITS of his actions tell us that he was not saved at all but simple said that he was. Living in KNOWN sin without any guilt to leave that sin is the key to knowing IF a person is saved or that he is only CLAIMING to be saved.
I am on board with you there. Only Jesus, by Nature, would never break the Law. He is 'the' Law unto Himself. A plain commandment. What about commandments that should have been plain ? The ones that a person in the desire to avoid the imposition on behavior, avoided making plain to himself what could be.James is teaching us that one portion of the law is as much binding as another, and if a man violates any one plain commandment, he sets at nought the authority of God.
With all due respect Major1. The way you address other's make it obvious you deserve to be highly respected. I hope I can do that justice.
First I would point out that interpretations of scriptures must submit to reason unless an interpretation is given by a higher authority than us. It's what we do whether it is acknowledged or not. That means our God given power of reason is the highest authority we submit to. The most reasonable meaning is the most likely. That's the best we can do. The principle that Truth does not violate Truth is a reasonable tool for knowing the truest meaning of Scripture. But it is no interpreter.
The qualifiers to this statement are 'Once, truly, come to, accept. They are words that are necessary because eternal security doesn't submit to observation.
Another reasonable meaning is, if our love for others is without conditions. Did we love Jesus in the poor without imposing our personal conditions.
If it is about eternal security it's most reasonable to apply it to the disposition of the judged. Why would those who God made secure eternally be judged? Maybe to know what God wanted them to know that they didn't know before. Their salvation is complete and eternally secure. Again,those who thought they were eternally secure weren't and those who were, didn't know it till they were judged. That reality is at the heart of my objection
The statement you make here is qualified by these words ' IF, Claims, Known sin, fruits' are necessary because eternal security isn't observable. It is seen by fruits. But fruits in of themselves are difficult to know
I am on board with you there. Only Jesus, by Nature, would never break the Law. He is 'the' Law unto Himself. A plain commandment. What about commandments that should have been plain ? The ones that a person in the desire to avoid the imposition on behavior, avoided making plain to himself what could be.
The heart of my objection is this. There is no way to know for sure, who is and who isn't eternally secure. There are people walking the earth who are saved but don't know it and those who claim they are but aren't. That reality can't be argued. How can eternal security be believed if it is that unreliable? Eternal security can't exist in an environment like that. Jesus taught there is eternal security for sin against the Holy Spirit. It is unforgiven in this life and the next. There is no expression like that for salvation. That you are saved in this life and the next. Even with Jesus being explicit, it still doesn't change the fact there are people walking around among us today who are committing it and don't know it. Who can know but God? There are people walking around who are saved and don't know it. and people who think they are but aren't. I think because that is true eternal security isn't. Your brother in Christ.
Which has to be read in context to the Condemnation.
19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:19-21).
Verse 20 above says that all who do evil hate the light and neither come to the light unless their deeds are reproved (corrected). So doing evil of any kind is not a part of believing in Jesus to have everlasting life.
Yet, you have to keep reading, dear sir.
Verse 20 above says that all who do evil hate the light and neither come to the light unless their deeds are reproved (corrected). So doing evil of any kind is not a part of believing in Jesus to have everlasting life.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:41 that the Ninevites will rise up in Judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. If you were to turn to Jonah chapter 3, you would be able to see in Jonah 3:6-10 that the King of the Ninevites had told his people to:
(a) Cry out to God (i.e. Repentance) (See Jonah 3:8).
(b) Turn from their sins or evil ways (i.e. The Natural Fruits of Repentance).
Also, when God had seen that the Ninevites had turned from their evil and wicked ways, that was when God decided to not bring wrath or judgment upon them. So the idea that one can sin and still be saved is not biblical (and neither is it moral).
Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about Initial Salvation. We know this because Ephesians 2:1 says that Christ quickened us. We know this because Ephesians 3:17 says that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. It also speaks of a gift, as well. Gifts are received once and the same gift is not continually given to us over and over again. Ephesians 2:10 is talking about the natural flow of works that comes out of being saved by God's grace through faith (Which is by accepting Jesus Christ, and asking Him to forgive us of our sins, and by believing in His death, and resurrection on our behalf for salvation).
In other words, Ephesians 2:8-9 is the horse, and Ephesians 2:10 is the cart.
Paul is saying not to put the cart before the horse. We are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace and not of works. But Paul is saying that we are created unto Christ Jesus for good works and that we should walk in them. The word "should" in Ephesians 2:10 is not a suggestion but more like a command. How so? Well, Jesus said, if you will enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17). For again, you said yourself that a believer cannot live in all kinds of sin and be saved. This means that one has to live holy in order to be saved. Granted, we differ on what defines holiness. The Bible says, he that does righteousness is righteous (1 John 3:7). God says be ye holy as I am holy.
May God bless you, as well;
And I hope you will consider what I have said with Scripture.
As for Scriptures Teaching on Sinless Perfection, check out my compilation of verses at this thread here:
The Scriptures Teaching on Sinless Perfection.
Paul is recounting his struggle in trying to keep the Old Law as a Pharisee before he became a Christian in Romans 7:14-24. How so? Romans 7:14-24 is summed up with the words "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh" in Romans 8:3.Jason......The Bible teaches that, while we are in the flesh, we will always struggle with a sin nature as seen in Romans 7:14–24.
You said:No one will be “perfect” (sinless) until we reach heaven. I think that you should know where your theology actually comes from.
Paul is recounting his struggle in trying to keep the Old Law as a Pharisee before he became a Christian in Romans 7:14-24. How so? Romans 7:14-24 is summed up with the words "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh" in Romans 8:3.
For Romans 8:3-4 says,
3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:3-4).
So which Law did God send His Son for so as to condemn sin in the flesh?
It was the Old Covenant Law.
For when Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was ripped from top to bottom letting us know that the Old Testament laws were no longer valid because the Old Laws on the animal sacrifices and the priesthood were no longer acceptable.
Jesus Christ was now our Passover Lamb.
Jesus Christ was soon be our Heavenly High Priest (after He ascended to His father after His resurrection 3 days later) so He can be our mediator between God the Father and man.
Romans 8:4 says, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
This is saying that the righteous part or aspect of the Old Law can be fulfilled in us.
Paul says elsewhere,
8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
(Romans 13:8-10).
So loving your neighbor is the righteousness (i.e. the righteous part or aspect) of the Old Law!
We fulfill this law by walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh (i.e. sin). For one of the major fruits of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22).
So we see a consistent theme here. The word "law" used in general (with no actual description attached to it) is in reference to the Old Law in Romans 7 and Romans 8. This helps us to understand that Paul is telling us his past experience or life as a Pharisee in struggling to keep the Old Law unsuccessfully because he did not have Jesus Christ yet (in verses 14-24).
In addition, in Romans 8:2, we see the mention of how there are TWO laws. We also learn from this verse that keeping one of these Laws helps us to be set FREE from the other one.
In Romans 8:2, we see:
Law #1. - Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.What is the relationship of these two laws in Romans 8:2?
This is a New Covenant Law that we are still under. What is this Law?
It is fulfilling the righteousness of the Law (i.e. to love your neighbor - Romans 13:8-10) by walking after the Spirit (See Romans 8:3-4).
Law #2. Sin and Death.
This is in reference to the Old Covenant Law as a whole (i.e. the 613 Old Testament Commands within the Torah). It is called the Law of Sin and Death because you could physically be put to death by not obeying this Law.
Keeping the New Law helps us to be free of the Old Law.
For there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who WALK not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1).
Romans 13:14 says,
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
The Bible disagrees with you.
Jesus says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48).
Jesus says, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (Luke 6:40).
GOD says, “Be ye holy as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16 cf. Leviticus 11:45).
Jesus said to two people to, "sin no more." (John 5:14) (John 8:11). In fact, Jesus said to the man that Jesus healed that if he were to sin again, a worse thing would come upon him. For Jesus said, “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14).
The author of Hebrews says, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 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” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Paul says, “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.” (Colossians 4:12).
Paul says, “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 Corinthians 7:1).
Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Are you one of those who don't believe the word "perfect" means "perfect" even though Jesus compared perfection to the Father and Himself? The Bible also uses the word "blameless", as well.
Paul says, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you. To this end may He establish your hearts to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 MEV).
Paul says, “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.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Paul says, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15).
It is significant that John talked of WALKING in the light instead of "ACCORDING" to the light.
To walk ACCORDING to the light would require "sinless perfection" and would make felloeship with God impossible for YOU and ME because we are sinners and as humans we SIN.
You said:To WALK IN it, however suggests instead openness and responsiveness to the Light which is of course the Lord Jesus. John DID NOT think of Christians as being able to be sinless at all and he made that very clear in the last part of the verse you choose.
John added these words....."The blood of Jesus His Son purifies from EVERY sin."
So then, the correct exegesis of this verse is that when it affirms that 2 things are true of all believers in Christ who try to live the Christian life........
A). They are in fellowship with God.
B). They are BEING CLEANSED from every sin.
So then, we who are born again and commit a sin AFTER being saved are under the cleansing power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
That clearly and effectively means that we are forgiven of the sin we commit when we commit it and it also means that we do not lose our salvation because we do commit a sin.
Jason, my dear friend, To put it bluntly, perfectionism is a hoax.
You said:We cannot be perfect!
You said:Yet many well-meaning people continue to strive for this unattainable goal. Perfectionism often involves raising the bar to absurd heights and striving in our own efforts for something that only God can do.
You said:The point of the gospel is that we are unable to save ourselves.
You said:Lets consider Mathhew 5:48 that you used shall we.
The Greek word for “perfect” here is telios. It means “brought to its end, completed, or perfect.” So, to be “perfect” in this sense is not how perfectionists so often imagine it. Rather, it is to be completed in Christ.
You said:Philippians 1:6says that completion is the work of God. He created us, saved us, and is faithful to perfect us. So As I have said to you, the Bible does not teach sinless perfection and this verse does not apply.
Again, you are not reading and believing Scripture here a face value.You said:Then you used Luke 6:40. The word in that verse rendered "is perfect" means to repair or mend, and is thus applied to mending fishing nets. It is the same word used in Matthew 4:21 and Mark 1:19. Hence, it means to repair or amend in a moral sense, or to make whole or complete. Here it means, evidently, "thoroughly instructed" or "informed." The Christian should be like his Master - holy, harmless, and undefiled, and separate from sinners and DOES NOT MEAN OR EEN SUGGEST "SINLESS PERFECTION" which you are trying to make it say.
So once again we see that the Bible verse you used does not apply when studied correctly.
You said:Then you used 1 Peter 1:16.
Matthew 5:28...........
"but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Matthew 22:37.........
"And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’"
Matthew 22:39.........
"'The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’"
We see in those verses that Jesus taught that the intention of the heart is important to God. This is because God's heart is perfect. He is holy which is why He says in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, for I am holy."
God is the standard of holiness, and Jesus reveals the necessity of the perfect standard.
You said:Can any Christian say that his heart is perfect and that he never falters? That he never looks upon a woman with impure thoughts? That he loves the Lord God with all of his heart, and that he loves his neighbor as himself, all with a perfect state of mind? The standard is absolute purity. None of us can claim that reason and I am including YOU.
So again we see that 1 Peter 1:16 does not validate SINLESS PERFECTION.
You said:Then you used John 5:14.
At a very simple level, even asking this question is presuming that everything Jesus said must be taken to its logical extreme.
Imagine, your doctor says, "Cut the beef out of your diet!" What he is saying is both clear (eat less red meat) and fully "doable." And yet, if you're at a wedding where the only entree is steak, do you think the doctor would never see you again if you partook?
Indeed, what the doctor is saying is what Jesus is saying: This is hurting you. It is not good for you. Endeavor to reduce it! If you fall off the wagon, even the attempt to reduce the behavior in question will benefit you.
...if the sick were no longer sick, they would have no need of the Physician.
You said:Then we have Hebrews 13:20-21.
The word “PERFECT ” does not mean what YOU want it to mean. YOU are picking out verses that have the word PERFECT in them in order to promote what you think of when we talk about something being perfect. The word literally means to “repair” or “to adjust.” It speaks of something being prepared as I have already explained to you about the fishing nets.
You said:When the writer of Hebrews spoke of God making us perfect, He is talking about God preparing or equipping us to do His will. It has been well said that where God guides He provides. God equips us to do His will. Or to put it another way, God gives us the ability to do His will. So once again we see that YOUR understanding is flawed and the verse IS NOT suggesting sinless PERFECTION.
I do believe that it's possible that God grants eternal security to certain individuals for reasons particular to themselves. Because of that, along with the reasons I have already stated, I find that the human mode of knowing is insufficient to enable a community of eternally secure Christians to form. Each person in the community could only be certain of their own state of salvation. Eternal security would require certainty that only an individual can have and only about himself. To know if another person has the gift is impossible. That to me, means that it's unreasonable for a Christian community to be defined as eternally secure.But our security my brother does not have to be proven to others for it to be real to US.
Major1, thank you so much for defending your faith in Christ with the kind of love that proves you are His disciple.
Paradoxically the only statement I think it good for me to express and you to hear my contention is also the one that warmed my heart. I say, fair enough to all you wrote but the "US" in that particular statement.
I do believe that it's possible that God grants eternal security to certain individuals for reasons particular to themselves. Because of that, along with the reasons I have already stated, I find that the human mode of knowing is insufficient to enable a community of eternally secure Christians to form. Each person in the community could only be certain of their own state of salvation. Eternal security would require certainty that only an individual can have and only about himself. To know if another person has the gift is impossible. That to me, means that it's unreasonable for a Christian community to be defined as eternally secure.
The concept of "blasphemy against the Spirit" is mentioned in Mark 3:22-30 and Matthew 12:22-32. This case of blasphemy is a specific one, called "the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" in Matthew 12:31. In Matthew 12:31-32, the Pharisees, having witnessed irrefutable proof that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, claimed instead that the Lord was possessed by the demon "Beelzebub" (Matthew 12:24).
They were obviously not believers and notice that in Mark 3:30, Jesus is very specific about what they did to commit "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." That cannot be duplicated today, yet the sin that is unpardonable for man today is the state of continued unbelief (John 3:18).
Major1, thank you so much for defending your faith in Christ with the kind of love that proves you are His disciple.
Paradoxically the only statement I think it good for me to express and you to hear my contention is also the one that warmed my heart. I say, fair enough to all you wrote but the "US" in that particular statement.
I do believe that it's possible that God grants eternal security to certain individuals for reasons particular to themselves. Because of that, along with the reasons I have already stated, I find that the human mode of knowing is insufficient to enable a community of eternally secure Christians to form. Each person in the community could only be certain of their own state of salvation. Eternal security would require certainty that only an individual can have and only about himself. To know if another person has the gift is impossible. That to me, means that it's unreasonable for a Christian community to be defined as eternally secure.
So what will Jesus do when He finds out that His followers have no more need for Him in His Kingdom when He eliminates sin and death? (See Revelation 21:4).
I mean, do you not see how silly that argument sounds?
In fact, what do good doctors do?
Do they leave their patients to remain sick or even sick a little?
No. They cure them. That is why Jesus does not call the righteous.
For they are already whole and cured (Which can only be by His grace, power and working in their life).
First of all, you did not grow up speaking and writing Biblical Greek. Nobody has in many hundreds of years from now. If you grew up in Biblical times in the Greek world, that would be different. But you didn't.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary says,
Perfect
Per´fect
1. Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.
My strength is made perfect in weakness.
- 2 Cor. xii. 9.
Source:
Perfect | Definition of Perfect by Webster's Online Dictionary
Second, although a search at BlueLetterBible shows that the same Greek word καταρτίζω can be used for the English word "mend" elsewhere in Scripture, it does not mean that it defined as "mend" in this case. There are many words in the English language that look and sound the same but they have entirely different meanings. These are called homonyms. For example: The word "bark" is something a dog does and it is also something that is a part of a tree. Depending on the context, we can determine it's use in defining it.
Hebrews 13:21 is not referring to a completeness of works to do God's will. First of all, how does one even have a completeness in doing God's work? How does that lead to doing God's will? Doesn't it make more sense that we are perfect in the way we do a good work whereby we are then doing God's will? For example: Have you ever heard of the phrase, "practice makes perfect?" This is what I believe God wants from us. Why? Because to do God's will, we cannot include sin or imperfection. To do God's will involves us to be pure in our thoughts and actions. To say that we are complete in our thoughts and actions is confusing. We can say that we are complete in our work but it could still be imperfect work. Can such a work truly do the will of God? While all things work together for good to those who love God (so as to accomplish God's greater plan for good), we have to act in a way that is considered perfect (and not imperfect) according to the Lord so as to do God's "perfect will" (for our lives). This is very important because God said to a particular church that he did not find their works perfect and he was telling them strengthen the things that remain and to repent. God is telling them not to defile their garments. This means they cannot abide in sin. They are to strengthen the works they are doing by perfecting them (See Revelation 3).
In addition, the word "perfect" in Hebrews 13:21 is accurate according to the context.
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11).
Here we see a believer who is imperfect by the fact that they are being chastened because of some sin in their life. The goal of chastening is to get one to stop sinning. First, it says that the result here is the peaceable fruit of righteousness. How can the peaceable fruit of righteousness be complete and yet imperfect? Doesn't the peaceable fruit of righteousness sound like something good from God that is not flawed and carnal? Second, a master chastens his dog in pooping on the carpet with the intended goal that he will get the animal to stop laying hot steaming piles of nastiness all over his wonderful home. The master does not chasten the dog so that the animal will poop less on his beautiful carpet or to correct the dog senselessly with no change in it's behavior.
Also, Hebrews 12:14-15 says,
14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
Okay. Here we have a serious warning. We are to follow peace with all men and we are to follow after holiness, if we do not do these two things, we shall not see the Lord. So we are to look diligently upon these two things unless we shall fail the grace of God and unless we let any a root of bitterness spring up within us whereby we can be defiled. This fits with God making us perfect in our work to do His will. For God does not do anything that is imperfect, does He? Surely not.
So your attempt to see another far out meaning for the word "perfect" is not supported by the context, and or the dictionary.
What does it even mean in your own words that God is equipping you to do His will?
Does this include imperfection?
Can you do that which is sinful and also accomplish God's will?
Surely not. One has to do that which is perfect and good in God's eyes to do His perfect will.
God's perfect will for our life is not accomplished if we are doing something imperfect.
Yes, God can change an evil situation into a good one, but that is not the same thing as what we do for God in regards to His perfect will. Again, Matthew 5 is a great example. We are to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect by loving, and doing good towards our enemies. If we are loving only some enemies and hating others, I would say that we are not really loving our enemies. One is only dong half the job. If one wants to be perfect like the father we are to do that which is required that is good that fulfills God's will.
So what will Jesus do when He finds out that His followers have no more need for Him in His Kingdom when He eliminates sin and death? (See Revelation 21:4).
I mean, do you not see how silly that argument sounds?
In fact, what do good doctors do?
Do they leave their patients to remain sick or even sick a little?
No. They cure them. That is why Jesus does not call the righteous.
For they are already whole and cured (Which can only be by His grace, power and working in their life).
First of all, you did not grow up speaking and writing Biblical Greek. Nobody has in many hundreds of years from now. If you grew up in Biblical times in the Greek world, that would be different. But you didn't.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary says,
Perfect
Per´fect
1. Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.
My strength is made perfect in weakness.
- 2 Cor. xii. 9.
Source:
Perfect | Definition of Perfect by Webster's Online Dictionary
Second, although a search at BlueLetterBible shows that the same Greek word καταρτίζω can be used for the English word "mend" elsewhere in Scripture, it does not mean that it defined as "mend" in this case. There are many words in the English language that look and sound the same but they have entirely different meanings. These are called homonyms. For example: The word "bark" is something a dog does and it is also something that is a part of a tree. Depending on the context, we can determine it's use in defining it.
Hebrews 13:21 is not referring to a completeness of works to do God's will. First of all, how does one even have a completeness in doing God's work? How does that lead to doing God's will? Doesn't it make more sense that we are perfect in the way we do a good work whereby we are then doing God's will? For example: Have you ever heard of the phrase, "practice makes perfect?" This is what I believe God wants from us. Why? Because to do God's will, we cannot include sin or imperfection. To do God's will involves us to be pure in our thoughts and actions. To say that we are complete in our thoughts and actions is confusing. We can say that we are complete in our work but it could still be imperfect work. Can such a work truly do the will of God? While all things work together for good to those who love God (so as to accomplish God's greater plan for good), we have to act in a way that is considered perfect (and not imperfect) according to the Lord so as to do God's "perfect will" (for our lives). This is very important because God said to a particular church that he did not find their works perfect and he was telling them strengthen the things that remain and to repent. God is telling them not to defile their garments. This means they cannot abide in sin. They are to strengthen the works they are doing by perfecting them (See Revelation 3).
In addition, the word "perfect" in Hebrews 13:21 is accurate according to the context.
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11).
Here we see a believer who is imperfect by the fact that they are being chastened because of some sin in their life. The goal of chastening is to get one to stop sinning. First, it says that the result here is the peaceable fruit of righteousness. How can the peaceable fruit of righteousness be complete and yet imperfect? Doesn't the peaceable fruit of righteousness sound like something good from God that is not flawed and carnal? Second, a master chastens his dog in pooping on the carpet with the intended goal that he will get the animal to stop laying hot steaming piles of nastiness all over his wonderful home. The master does not chasten the dog so that the animal will poop less on his beautiful carpet or to correct the dog senselessly with no change in it's behavior.
Also, Hebrews 12:14-15 says,
14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
Okay. Here we have a serious warning. We are to follow peace with all men and we are to follow after holiness, if we do not do these two things, we shall not see the Lord. So we are to look diligently upon these two things unless we shall fail the grace of God and unless we let any a root of bitterness spring up within us whereby we can be defiled. This fits with God making us perfect in our work to do His will. For God does not do anything that is imperfect, does He? Surely not.
So your attempt to see another far out meaning for the word "perfect" is not supported by the context, and or the dictionary.
What does it even mean in your own words that God is equipping you to do His will?
Does this include imperfection?
Can you do that which is sinful and also accomplish God's will?
Surely not. One has to do that which is perfect and good in God's eyes to do His perfect will.
God's perfect will for our life is not accomplished if we are doing something imperfect.
Yes, God can change an evil situation into a good one, but that is not the same thing as what we do for God in regards to His perfect will. Again, Matthew 5 is a great example. We are to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect by loving, and doing good towards our enemies. If we are loving only some enemies and hating others, I would say that we are not really loving our enemies. One is only dong half the job. If one wants to be perfect like the father we are to do that which is required that is good that fulfills God's will.
Well, without you having to mention the following Scriptural reference, my guess is that you believe a part of Romans 3 is saying that "everyone will always sin in this life" no matter who they are. Meaning, there is no such thing as a faithful believer or a believer who can walk uprightly. However, when you read Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23, that says there is none righteous and all have sinned, you also have to read verse 11 that says, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." (Romans 3:11). In other words, if you believe Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23 applies to the believer than you must also believe that the believer has no understanding and does not seek after God, too.
1 John 1:7 does not say what you are saying here.
We know that John is referring to walking in the light in 1 John 1:7 as in reference to obedience to his commands. 1 John 2:6 says, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." This lines up with the words of Jesus when He says, "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master." (Luke 6:40).
Paul essentially says that if we love our neighbor, we fulfill the moral commands like: "Do not murder," "Do not covet," and "Do not steal," etc. (Romans 13:8-10).
This helps us to understand that "light" is in reference to obeying God's commands (or in loving one's brother), and "darkness" is in reference to disobeying God's commands (hating one's brother).
8 "Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." (1 John 2:8-11).
This means obeying God's commands is the same as walking in the light of Christ and in loving one's brother (or neighbor) and by obeying the Lord, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. Again, Matthew 19:17 says if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?