Be Perfect Be Pure
For TK Burk and (hopefully) all others.
http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=53003 Follow Up http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=53039 My latest video. http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=53044 |
Re: Be Perfect Be Pure
Thanks!
I'll watch these and get back to you later... |
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Did I hear you correctly? If not, please explain. |
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Among Them that are Perfect The Apostle Paul spoke intelligently to those who were “mature” in the faith. This would be to those who were complete in Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6As a result, it is safe to say that Paul knew that there were others who were spiritually mature in Christ. Yet, the Apostle Peter praises Paul for his level of understanding, indicating that as far as the Apostle Peter was concerned, Paul had mature understanding of the scriptures. Also, that Paul’s writings were equal with the same authority as the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible. 2 Peter 3:15-16But, let us look at what Paul was saying to the Philippian church. Here the Apostle begins to give his qualifications, that he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, as concerning the Law blameless without fault, yet, he counted it all as nothing that he may obtain Christ. The Apostle Paul makes the statement that he didn’t count himself as having attained the level which he was looking for, which doesn’t mean, that he wasn’t spiritually mature, or at a higher level than others around him. Because the Apostle Paul then goes on to say…. Philippians 3:14-16Again, Paul points to those who he considered as spiritually mature in Christ, but then goes on to say (including himself) as to what they have attained they were to keep pressing on further towards that high calling in Christ. This they should do while always leaving behind carnal religious works and credentials, which amount to nothing. In Philippians 3:17, the Apostle Paul gives himself as an example to the Body of Christ. This example should be noted and followed. Philippians 3:17Was the Apostle Paul mature, and spiritually complete? The scripture would indicate that he was, but he believed that he could go even farther. Therefore the Apostle encouraged all those in the Body of Christ to also go further, and reach towards a high level of spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus. Did Jesus expect His followers to become complete and spiritually mature? Yes, because Jesus Himself told us to be perfect as the Father was perfect. If it couldn’t be attained, then why would He tell us to “be” something, which was impossible to reach? The Apostle Paul tells us that when he was a child, he spake as a child, he understood as a child, he thought as a child: but when he became a man, he put away childish things. When he became a man, fully mature spiritually. There comes a time when we are no longer looking at a blurred self-image of ourselves in Christ, but we see as God sees us. Therefore, Paul taught that the duty of the ministry was to encourage those in the church to press on towards the high calling in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28Paul taught that we were to press on to be able to stand spiritually mature in all the will of God. Not our own human carnal will, but God’s will, His leading of His Spirit. Therefore, the Apostle goes on to say….. Hebrews 12:23We are told that the just will live by faith, and warned NOT to turn back. Hebrews 10:38-39So, obeying God, and following God without drawing back, while pressing on to the high calling in Christ Jesus brings believers to maturity. So, is it possible to attain? It most certainly is. Did Paul reach spiritual maturity? The scripture seems to indicate that he did. Just that the Apostle believed he could go even higher. Hebrews 13:20-21Copyright © 2012 DD Benincasa. |
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7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. When we do all that is commanded by Jesus we are just doing what we should be doing. Quote:
1 Cor. 15:34 34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. If one is sinning they are not "awake" to righteousness. Paul is shaming them so they will cease from sin. If they are not in righteousness neither the knowledge of God they are certainly not perfect. Quote:
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12Epaphras, 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. A Christian is to be perfect and complete as concerning what? ALL THE WILL OF GOD! So yes one could say "be complete as a Christian". But if their definition of complete does not include doing Gods will it would leave the Christian in confusion. Quote:
I dont believe I have ever made that statement so if its in my video please point it out. |
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One can certainly be mature in Christ and still go deeper in him. There are 2 levels of perfection. The one is "sinless" perfection. This is the one I probably point to the most. Why? Because I dont hear it taught. It needs to be heard. One wont enter Gods Kingdom with sin in their life. The other perfection/maturity is going deeper in knowledge and experience in God. Thats what Paul meant here. Phil. 3:7-11 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. You would think Paul HAD attained to all he needed. Phil. 3:12-16 12Not 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. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Paul says he is not perfect in verse12. We know that does NOT mean he had sin in his life. Why? He told the Thessalonians: 1 Thess 2:10 10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: So here Paul calls God for a witness that his life is blameless. We can be pretty sure he was not telling the Philippians he was not perfect as to having sin in his life. What he means is he wants to KNOW CHRIST MORE FULLY. He has not experienced all the power of Christ he knows is available. He wants to be more conformed to his image. He had attained a lot but wanted more. Even in this he does not feel he can slow down. He actually says he's doing all he is doing that he may ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD! Verse 11. In verse 15 Paul says he and others ARE perfect. Tho its another Greek word they mean much the same. My view is he IS perfect in verse 15 means there is no sin in his life presently. Verse 12 He had attained to overcoming sin but theres more to the Christian life than JUST that. He had not yet attained to the resurrection because his race wasn't over. There were more experiences to be had. More of Gods power to walk in. More suffering to go through. More denying self. His EXPERIENCE in Christ was not yet FULL.....in the sense of "complete" or "finished". |
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