HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE WORD PERFECT? I WOULD DEFINE THE WORD PERFECT USING SUCH WORDS AS 1. IMPECCABLE, NOT CAPABLE OF SINNING, 2. MEETING SUPREME STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE, 3. A WHOLE MAN BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT 4. A MAN OF INTEGRITY, HONEST. HERE IS WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT JOB'S PERFECTION. GOD SAID THAT JOB WAS PERFECT, AND UPRIGHT, A MAN THAT FEARED GOD ESCHEWED EVIL. Jb: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. (KJV) WHY SHOULD WE, AS CHILDREN OF GOD, BE CONCERNED WITH BECOMING PERFECT? I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD STRIVE FOR PERFECTION BECAUSE, WE ARE COMMANDED OF GOD TO BE PERFECT, AND BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY IMPERFECTION IN CHRIST. Mt:5:43: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Mt:5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mt:5:45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Mt:5:46: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Mt:5:47: And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Mt:5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV) BELOVED, IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THE ELECT OF GOD TO ATTEND SOME COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY, AND BE TAUGHT THE SCRIPTURES BY MEN, TO BECOME A MINISTER OF GOD. FOR THE ANOINTING OF GOD WILL TEACH US, AND BRING US INTO ALL TRUTH. 1Jn:2:27: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV) WHEN THE ANOINTING OF GOD TEACHES A PERSON THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, THEY HAVE A PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. THE APOSTLE LUKE WAS INSPIRED OF GOD TO RECORD THESE WORDS ABOUT PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. Lk:1:3: It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, THE PERFECT MAN MUST BE PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS, AND HE MUST BE FILLED WITH LOVE, AND AS CHRIST WAS IN THE WORLD, SO MUST THE PERFECT MAN BE. FOR THE WORD CHRISTIAN MEANS "CHRIST LIKE". CHILDREN OF LIGHT, THE FIRST STEP TOWARD PERFECTION IS THE RECEIVING OF THE HOLY GHOST. HOW DO WE, THE ELECT OF GOD, RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST? WE AS SAINTS OF GOD ARE TO ASK GOD, OUR FATHER, FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. ONLY THE ELECT OF GOD SHALL RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST, FOR THE HOLY GHOST MUST BE RECEIVED BY FAITH. Lk:11:9: And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Lk:11:10: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Lk:11:11: If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Lk:11:12: Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? Lk:11:13: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? BELOVED OF GOD, THE CHILDREN OF SATAN CANNOT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST FOR THEY CANNOT SEE HIM. JESUS CHRIST SPEAKING TO HIS DISCIPLES SAID THESE WORDS. Jn:14:16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Jn:14:17: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. WHEN WE, AS CHILDREN OF GOD, ARE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST; WE ARE BAPTIZED OUT OF THE WORLD, AND INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST. AND, WE COME INTO THE PROMISE THAT WE SHALL RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST. WHAT DOES THE WATER OF OUR BAPTISM DO? IT WASHES OUR SINS AWAY, AND TRANSLATES US OUT OF THE WORLD, AND INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST. REMEMBER THIS SAINTS OF GOD, ETERNAL LIFE IS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. Acts:2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV) CHILDREN OF LIGHT, HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST SINCE YOU BELIEVED? IF NOT, HOW WERE YOU BAPTIZED? IF A PERSON IS NOT BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, THEY MAY NOT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST. IF THEY HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED SOME OTHER WAY, IT IS SCRIPTURAL TO BE BAPTIZED A SECOND TIME. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. Acts:19:1: And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Acts:19:2: He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Acts:19:3: And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Acts:19:4: Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Acts:19:5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts:19:6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts:19:7: And all the men were about twelve. WERE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD MADE PERFECT? I BELIEVE THAT WE REACH PERFECTION IN CHRIST JESUS. HOW ARE WE MADE PERFECT? BY STUDYING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND BY SHAPING OUR LIVES ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS INSPIRED OF GOD TO RECORD THESE WORDS. Col:1:27: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 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: WHEN A PERSON IS BORN INTO THE WORLD, HE IS ALIVE PHYSICALLY BUT DEAD SPIRITUALLY. THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL MUST BE BROUGHT TO LIFE. THE CARNAL MIND OF SENSE, AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY GHOST IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE. IN THIS UNREGENERATED STATE WE DO MANY THINGS THAT WE ARE LATER SORRY FOR. WHEN THE ELECT OF GOD RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL COMES TO LIFE. AND THE INWARD MAN THE SOUL DELIGHTS IN THE LAWS OF GOD. WHEN A MAN RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST POWER COMES TO LIVE THE SINLESS OR SIN FREE LIFE. 1Jn: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. (KJV) SAINTS OF GOD, WHEN A MAN RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST, HE BECOMES A NEW CREATURE, A NEW CREATION. OLD THINGS PASS AWAY ALL THINGS BECOME NEW. 2Cor:5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2Cor:5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2Cor:5:19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2Cor:5:20: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. THINK ON THIS SAINTS OF GOD, COULD A MAN BE A GREAT SURGEON, AND NEVER OPEN A MEDICAL BOOK? COULD A MAN BE A GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER, AND NEVER READ THE RULE BOOK? COULD A MAN BE A GREAT SOLDIER IN THE ARMY OF GOD, AND NEVER OPEN THE BIBLE? WE, AS CHRISTIANS ARE COMMANDED TO STUDY THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. HOW CAN A MAN DO THE WILL OF GOD, IF HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GOD'S WILL IS. 2Tm:2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) WE, AS SAINTS OF GOD, MUST GROW IN GRACE, WE ARE COMMANDED TO TAKE FAITH, AND ADD TO THAT VIRTUE, AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE, AND TO KNOWLEDGE, TEMPERANCE. LET ME READ IT TO YOU FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 2Pt:1:4: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pt:1:5: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 2Pt:1:6: And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 2Pt:1:7: And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2Pt:1:8: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. BELOVED OF GOD, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT GOD WOULD NOT COMMAND HIS CHILDREN TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECORD OF A MAN BEING PERFECT? YES, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT JOB WAS A PERFECT, AND UPRIGHT MAN. A MAN THAT FEARED GOD, AND SHUNNED EVIL. Jb: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. (KJV) THOUGH SATAN TOOK ALL OF JOBS WORLDLY POSSESSIONS, KILLED JOBS CHILDREN, EVEN COVERED JOB WITH BOILS, YET JOB SINNED NOT. NOR CHARGED GOD FOOLISHLY. TO BE A PERFECT MAN I BELIEVE A PERSON MUST BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY. Jb:1:22: In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly THE APOSTLE JAMES WAS INSPIRED OF GOD TO RECORD THESE WORDS CONCERNING WORDS, AND PERFECTION. Jms:3:2: For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV) CHILDREN OF GOD, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT NOAH WAS A JUST MAN, PERFECT IN HIS GENERATION. Gn:6:8: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Gn:6:9: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. SAINTS OF GOD, IF YOU ARE A NEW CONVERT TO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, YOU MAY NOT KNOW HOW THAT CHRISTIANS BECOME PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD. WE BECOME PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS FOR OUR SALVATION, AND FAITH IN THE BLOOD THAT HE SHED ON CALVARIES CROSS FOR OUR REDEMPTION. WHEN WE, AS SAINTS OF GOD, PLACE OUR FAITH, AND TRUST, IN CHRIST FOR OUR SALVATION, AND OUR FAITH IN THE BLOOD HE SHED ON CALVARIES CROSS FOR OUR REDEMPTION. GOD THE FATHER ALLOWS US TO DECLARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS PASSED. WHEN WE DECLARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST, WE DECLARE PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS. Rom:3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV) Rom:3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV) Rom:3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (KJV) Rom:3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. WHEN THE ELECT OF GOD RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST LOVE COMES TO DWELL WITHIN THE BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD. BEFORE A PERSON RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST, A PERSON MAY HAVE A FORM OF LOVE, A COUNTERFEIT LOVE. BUT WHEN GOD COMES TO DWELL WITHIN A BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD THEY CAN TRULY LOVE, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. 1Jn:4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (KJV) BELOVED OF GOD, THE SAINTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WENT THOUGH GET PERSECUTION FOR THEIR FAITH IN GOD. BUT THEY WERE NOT MADE PERFECT WITHOUT US. LET ME CONCLUDE WITH THIS THOUGHT. WE THE ELECT OF GOD RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. JESUS CHRIST SAID THESE WORDS. Jn:15:1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Jn:15:2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Jn:15:3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Jn:15:4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jn:15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jn:15:6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Jn:15:7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Jn:15:8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. SAINTS OF GOD, THE SECRET TO RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE IS TO BE FRUITFUL. THE SECRET TO BEING FRUITFUL IS TO ABIDE IN CHRIST. THE SECRET TO ABIDING IN CHRIST IS TO OBEY HIM. THE SECRET TO OBEYING JESUS IS TO LOVE HIM. AND THE SECRET TO LOVING JESUS IS TO KNOW HIM.
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