We as true believers understand that God is perfect and he is upright full of righteousness. We also understand that the goal for our life is to overcome our flesh and become like Jesus. We know that the flesh, lust against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and are contrary one towards another. Many people look at Perfection in different ways. My purpose is to show what the bible teaches us as Christians what Perfection means in the word of God. Let’s first look at the Lord then we will look at others who lived for God in the word of God…
Deu. 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
Deu. 25:15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God gives thee.
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways is judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
1 Kings. 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
2 Samuel 22: 31-33 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect.
So we know that the Lord was perfect or upright. We know Jesus had a carnal nature and was tempted in all ways yet without sin. So he never gave in to his Carnal nature so he never became carnally minded like the sons of Adam making him a true son of God. We also know that Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered.
Heb. 2:18 for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted
Heb 5:8 though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered
So in order for us to reach perfection or maturity we must learn to be obedient by applying the word of God to our lives. So we know God wants us to be obedient as shown in the word of God.
Romans 1:16 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Romans 5:19 for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.
2 Cor. 10:5,6 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
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Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
So let us start with the Old Testament and see if we can find men that were upright and perfect like the Lord commanded us in.
Mt 5:48 be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
We understand that in the days of Noah God asked Noah to build an ark which is a large boat. It had never rained on the earth from the sky. Things such as trees and plants were watered by the water come up thru the ground. So for 120 years Noah built the ark. No one was willing to help him. Noah believed God and in his day he was the only one obedient to God as seen in.
Gen 6:9 these are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Then God made a covenant with Abraham and we see that Abraham was perfect like Noah was as seen in.
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en. 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Then we also know that Job was perfect as seen in.
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 fears God, and eschews evil? And still he holds fast his integrity, although thou move me against him, to destroy him without cause.
These three men are the only one’s mentioned as being perfect in faith in the whole Old Testament. Let us now go to the New Testament and look at Paul the Apostle.
When he said:
Phil 3 12, 15 not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, are thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you
2 Tim.4:1-8 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
So we know Paul reach perfection or maturity and that was his goal in order to make the high calling in Christ Jesus and that his reward was to receive a spiritual body as mentioned in:
2 Cor. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
So are goal for our life is to become perfect as our father in heaven is perfect and to strive for the high calling in Christ Jesus. Then to obtain immortality and eternal life and receive our spiritual bodies and be clothed upon with incorruptible seed like the Father and the Son thru the Holy Ghost or spirit of the father. So let’s look at some more scriptures talking about perfection as the goal for our lives a true striving Christians.
Romans 12:2 and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We must strive lawfully and reach out before us for perfection, which is the goal for our lives as Christians. Many people believe and I have heard it said many times. Said no one can be perfect. This bible lesson was designed to prove that people or wrong according to the bible.
Many believe that if we do as said in:
Eph. 4:9-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. First we must be born again as said in:
John 3:3, 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.
1Peter 1:23 Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.
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We also know that by man sin entered into this world and by his sin entered death. There are two laws, one of life and peace and the other is the law of sin and death. We as children of the light must strive for life, like Jesus who is the light. The Lord will guide us to perfection through the Holy Ghost. We will go further on in this lesson learning about perfection the goal or rule for our lives.
Mathew 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.
Acts 18:26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
The bible says let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. We know that his ways are higher than our ways. The bible says a double minded man is unstable in all ways. So we must learn to become single mind. Fixed on the things of God we must study you approved of God. Then put on the full armor of God, be willing to follow the lamb or Jesus where he wants us to go. Then we must diligently seek him, and hunger and thirst after righteousness. Then we will be filled with the righteousness of God.
1 Cor.1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
I Cor.2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, or of the princes of this world, that come to naught:
The Jews knew that if they could just touch the him of his garment they would be made whole naturally and spiritually as shown in Mt. 14:36 and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
We know we must humble ourselves and become like a child or babe and sell our Carnal ideas for the truth of the word of God. To get perfect and obtain Perfect praise where we can be like Jesus.
We know we must humble ourselves and become like a child or babe and sell our Carnal ideas for the truth of the word of God. To get perfect and obtain Perfect praise where we can be like Jesus and say it is finished Praise his Holy name.
Mt. 21:16 and Lk.1:3 say exactly the same thing word for word. And said unto him, Hearst thou what these say? And Jesus smith unto them, yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and suckling’s thou hast perfected praise?
The thing that bring the eternal joy and peace of God at not Carnal as shown in:
Lk. 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.
Jesus healed people and cast out devils and then was perfected
Lk. 13:32 and he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.so we know we must become perfect as Jesus commanded us .
Jn. 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.
Rms.12:2 That threw the word of God we can be made perfect by renewing our mind as shown in: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rev 3:12 is watchful, and strengthens the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. This is why we need the word of God, so we can become except able to God because God can’t look on sin.
I Cor. 13:10 Says but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away
We must overcome our flesh and nasty spirit that stemmed from Adam.
2 Cor.7:7 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.
Paul asked a question and we know the answer is no only thru the spirit can we crucify the flesh.
Gal. 3:3 Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Flesh and blood can’t inherit the kingdom of God so we must let the flesh die and become perfect as shown in these next scriptures. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? See how faith with its works and by works was faith made perfect? No not only by works but by the grace of Christ Jesus. 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. 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. Paul said: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
2 Cor. 12; 2 and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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
2 Tim 2:17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb. 5:9 and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Jesus is our hope and example that he overcame the flesh we can also. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by this we draw nigh unto God. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 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.
James 1:4, 17, 25 says: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed
1Jn. 4; 12, 17, 18 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
Heb. 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb. 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect, talking about the early church because the Lord has long patience for the early and latter rain churches to come together filled with perfect overcomers as said in:.
Heb. 12:23 Says to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. In order for us to become perfect we must overcome as John saw in the book of Revelation. What the Spirit said unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that received it.
And he that overcomes, and kept my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne? He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
And he that overcomes, and kept my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne and be in the bride of Christ praise God? We know that there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. Here are some more scriptures to read on perfection:
2 Cor. 12:9 and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Phil.3:12, 15 not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything 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 2Tim2:17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb.2:10 for it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Heb.5:9 and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Jesus learned obeisance through the things he suffered and he paid the ultimate price thru the cross and crucifixion.
Heb.6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Not dwelling on repentance water baptism and trying to work in the self-man and learn to bring every thought into captivity to the word of God. No longer going by feelings and emotions which so easily take us away from Gods perfect will for our lives.
Heb.7:19 for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh unto God. Lord was the better hope was Jesus Christ. Jesus was the example and gave us the comforter the Holy Ghost to help perfect us. Heb.11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. This is the early church under the alter in Rev.6: 9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
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.