All Bible texts are from the King James Version unless otherwise
stated.
You will also find a few quotes by one Ellen G. White (hereafter E.G.W.).
To find out about her and why we quote her writings click on the file E. G. White
in the main menu. A link to the main menu is at the bottom of this file.
Many professed Christians dread the word "perfect". They fear it more than they fear sin. Some preachers think they advance an unanswerable argument when they ask for a show of hands of any who are perfect. When no hand is raised they conclude the question is settled and to them perfection is unobtainable in this life so why even think of it or even try.
But is it true? What saith the Scriptures?
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."
This is the statement of God's Word. God said Job was perfect. This was God's statement, not Job's. This was not Job's boast. Here is Job's statement:-
Job 9:20 "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse."
Note: God said Job was perfect but Job made no such claim. He certainly would not have raised his hand to indicate his perfection. If Job had done so it would prove him perverse and not perfect.
As Job of old declared "If I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse."
God said Job was a perfect man, but Job would not dare make such a claim. Job said "I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes."
The closer one comes to the light, the more the imperfections can be seen. The light does not add the imperfections, it merely reveals them. So, "There can be no self-examination, no boastful claims to freedom from sin . . . Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most clearly the frailty and sinfulness of humanity."
No child of God boasts of his perfection or sinlessness. God is the Judge. It can be left to Him.
Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Note Again, this is not the claim of the saints. It is the declaration of the supreme Judge of all. It is the statement of God. If God says the "saints" "keep the commandments of God", what else matters. The saints make no such claim.
Of John the revelator we read, he ". . . does not claim to be sinless; he is seeking perfection by walking in the light of God's countenance." The Sanctified Life by E.G.W. page 65.
Of Daniel, we read that he ". . . made no claim to sanctification, but he did that which was infinitely better--he lived a life of faithfulness and consecration." Ibid page 42.
Of Paul we read "Angels rejoice to tell his triumphs, but Paul makes no boast of his attainments." The Acts of the Apostles by E.G.W. page 562.
The saints of God need no boast, it is their Heavenly Father who says "Here are they that keep the commandments of God." Thus they do not sin. They are holy, for they walk in the way of God's holy law. This is not their claim, but God's. This is the teaching of "all Scripture".
Job is probably the first book of Scripture that was written and here a man is declared to be "perfect".
Revelation is the last book of the Bible and here by the same infallible voice the saints are declared to be those that "keep the commandments of God". They are sinless. This was the standard raised by every prophet of God.
2 Kings 17:13 "Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets."
God does not command impossibilities. He supplied the power. All God's commands are enabling.
2 Timothy 3:1, 5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. . . Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
To His saints Jesus whispers "From such turn away". Don't follow them, for without the power, God's holy law cannot be kept and hence you will not be among those who "Keep the commandments of God."
This is God's way to perfection.
This is God's way to Glory.
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
BIBLICAL ARTEFACTS AND STUDIES
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