Be Ye Perfect

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

The child of God is not under probation to see if he is worthy of an exalted standing, but beginning with the confession of utter unworthiness receives the position wholly as a result of the work of Christ. Positional-wise, he is "perfected forever," (Heb.10:14), but looking within at his state, he must say that he is not yet perfect. This explains the seeming contradiction between Philippians 3:12 and Heb. 10:14.

As an example consider the child of a king. He is a prince, a member of the royal family. He may be as willful and as ignorant as any other child. He may sometimes be very obedient and teachable and affectionate, and then he is happy and approved. At other times he may be unruly, self-willed and disobedient, and then he is unhappy and makes others unhappy as well. It may be that he will have to be chastised. But, he is just as much a child of the king on one day as on another. No matter what his state, he is still a prince in standing. It is to be hoped that he will learn to bring his conduct to every right and proper way that is in keeping with a more "prince-like" state. However, he can never be any more of a prince by his conduct than he already is because he was born into that position.

In the case of every true child of God growth is expected and assured. As a child of God and as a son of God, the state will always be below the standing. Potentially all things are his, but actually, not yet. In the time of glorification for the believer, standing and state will be equal. It is important for us to understand that the standing of the believer is not the reward of the perfect state. Rather, the state of the believer is developed from the perfect standing he has received through Christ.

This is confusing when held up to Gods word. Does the scripture teach that we may yet be found unworthy of Christ?

11: Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thess. 1:11-12

If we are NEVER counted UNWORTHY by the Lord why did Paul feel it necessary to pray that they would BE COUNTED WORTHY?

Was everyone in this New Testament Church counted worthy by Yeshua?

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. Rev. 3:4-5

Obviously most of them were not worthy to walk with him in white. Why? Their garments were defiled. Should they have been afraid at this rebuke? If the Lord told you only a few names in your Church were worthy and only overcomers would NOT BE BLOTTED OUT OF HIS BOOK the fear of God would certainly be warranted.

Their standing with Yeshua was getting ready to be changed. Did they repent? We are not given to know. But we are given through them an EXAMPLE that indeed our standing with him can change. Our name can be blotted out of his book if we are not overcomers.