Quote:
Originally Posted by good samaritan
Aquilla, I never said that you or anyone else will attain perfection.
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Matthew 5:48 is Jesus making a statement that we are to be perfect as the father in heaven is perfect. The Greek is τέλειος,, which means to come to the end, complete, finished, full age, matured to adulthood. We do a great disservice to people when we try to make excuses for the words of Jesus Christ. This is not achieved by human discipline.
Romans 12:2 instructs us that we are to be renewed in our mind, a metamorphosis as a caterpillar transforms into something other than a worm. The writer of Romans tells us to prove, show evidence which is good, and acceptable, the perfect, will of God. In
James 3:2 the writer explains that in many things we offend everyone. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, also able to restrain the entire body. the writer of
2 Corinthians 7:1 points out clearly that since we have God's promises Having therefore these promises, we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of carnality and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The writer of
1 John 3:3 says the exact same thing, but tells you who you are to be like. The writer of
1 John 3:3 tells us to purify yourself as Jesus Christ is pure.
Romans 12:1-2 tells us how this is achieved by making your body a live sacrifice unto God, which is what you were bought for by Jesus Christ. To serve Him totally, completely, that we are not our own. Not being conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that may show evidence what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The writer of
Hebrews 5:13-14 explains why this is needful, "For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Yet, instead of encouraging the saint of God to go forward, we tell them that no one can get it together. That everyone is banged up, and will continue to enter the wheel of Samsara until we are reincarnated in the next life? I know, no Apostolic says that, but that is what the Hindu Guru sells his devotees. No, Jesus Christ is writing this epistle to be read of all men, He is the author and FINISHER of our faith. What He started He will complete. We do our part, and He does His part. Jesus wouldn't tell people who hand't even received the Holy Ghost baptism yet, to be as perfect as the FATHER, if He had no clue how to get them there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by good samaritan
It is God's grace that we must live by. Everytime that a person falls they must repent to God and get up again. The thing is God is not fooled by false repentance. People that are repentant don't live in homosexuality. I understand that we all struggle in the flesh, but struggling in the flesh is not habitually sinning.
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Exactly, but show them the word that they can be mature. That they will not always be in spiritual diapers. That they can be weened from nursing and go on to strong meat. Encourage to go forward, to get up and stay up not through human discipline but through Jesus Christ transforming our minds to full maturity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by good samaritan
As far as all the imperfect men in your past. Everyone is human. We get angry, we say things offensive, we covet things we see, etc. Those are inward things that each of us contend with. Before the Lord saved me I didn't even recognize those things working on me, but now I am aware of my opposition. You said, you felt miserable inside because of the carnal nature. Evidently something inside of you desires more.
How can a person live in habitual sin with the Holy Ghost always crying out to them NO. I understand falling at moments, but the moment that you convince yourself that you are ok in your sin. God will not always strive with man.
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It is not about convincing ourselves, it is about the work of the cross, the power of Jesus Christ. Our yielding to Him as a student, a servant, ready to take what He is telling us to do. Yes, God will not always strive with man, but He gave us an advocate who has defended us through His work. Now we have full access to fully put on the mind of Christ. To walk in the light as He is in the light.
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