Quote:
Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord
Perhaps before we define perfection any more, we should look at the seven churches in the book of Revelation. They were 7 churches who fully believed they were doing all they should be doing for the Lord. However, the Lord had a rebuke for EACH one of them. None of them escaped.
It would do us all well to consider that no matter how perfect we may try to be, how long and hard we labor to eradicate sin from our lives, when He looks into the deep dark caverns of our hearts and lives, what does He find?
It would do us all well to spend time allowing God's Spirit to illuminate the things in our lives that need removed. They may not necessarily be labeled as "sin" but they could be hang-ups in our walk with Him. And the things I need to deal with in my own heart, will be different than the things in your life.
Let's be practical here. I believe each day we should strive for perfection, and seek to cast things out of our lives that the Spirit shows us are not pleasing to the Lord. We should not forget that the Lord knows us far better than we know ourselves. We may think we are not capable of "such and such a sin", but our flesh can catch us off guard at any moment, and attack us with a temptation or desire that we thought we had overcome.
Without the SPIRIT of the Lord being an active part of our lives, we will not be able to detect the things within our heart that are not pleasing to him.
1 John 2:27-28 "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. And now little children, abide in Him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
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The Church at Smyrna.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev. 2:8-11
No rebuke just encouragement!
Philadelphia:
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh 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. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev. 3:7-13
No rebuke just praise!
All the rest are found wanting.
I do wish to show the exact problem with the Sardis Church. It is right on topic.
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:
for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, 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. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev. 3:1-6
Their Church is reproved by Christ. Why?
THEIR WORKS WERE NOT PERFECT!
This is why the issue is so important. At
LEAST these people knew their works were supposed to be perfect. The Churches nowadays don't have a clue, for the most part. They teach no such thing!
If these saints of God were in danger of being blotted out of the book of life (verse 5) how much more those of today who have been taught they
CANNOT EVEN BE MADE PERFECT?
KBTW, I believe you understand my use of caps and bold is not meant to insult anyone as Aquila has charged. It is simply to
EMPHASIZE and make the point as strong as I know how.
Hybrid Mode
