Be Perfect Be Pure

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Costeon

Yes I did read them, and let me say that I appreciate the time that you have taken to express your views and to help me understand them. I just disagree with your ultimate conclusions about what these scriptures mean and have noted two implications of your conclusions: (1) Jesus doesn't love you if you're not sinless and (2) you're saving yourself by your obedience, that is, it's a system of works righteousness.

I agree that the whole counsel of God must be presented and that in much of evangelicalism is does seem that most neglect holiness of life altogether. So yes, I think this should be corrected, but I just think you have over-corrected.

Now about the inconsistency that I noted in my previous post. Do you see why I would say that your overall view of perfection in relation to salvation does not really allow for the idea that a person is not immediately lost when he has lost his perfection? In other words, do you see why I said that your view only allows for the idea that one is immediately lost at the moment of sin?

Lets look to Rev 3:1-2

1And 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. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

These saints works were not perfect. Obviously Jesus expected they would be. Yet he tells them strengthen the things that remain. Their works are not perfect but he has not yet cut them off.

VS 3

3Remember 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.

Jesus urges them to repent! He has told them to hold fast so apparently they have something to hold onto. They are not merely tares. He warns them of consequences. The first is they will miss his coming.

VS 4

4Thou 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.

The majority in this New Testament Church works were not perfect. They had defiled their garments. A few had not defiled their garments and their works WERE perfect.

Jesus could tell the difference between these 2 groups in the Church. He never just saw them "through the blood" neither saw them all as perfect. He says the ones who had not defiled their garments were worthy to walk with him.

VS 5

5He 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.

The overcomers were the few Jesus said were worthy. What about those whose works were not perfect? Whose garments were defiled?

He makes no promise to not blot out their name from his book. So it had not yet occured. There was time for repentance.

So what do we learn here? Jesus expects his peoples works to be perfect. In some cases they are not. They are not perfect. No longer worthy to walk with Jesus. Their garments are defiled. This must mean they have sin in their lives. At this point they are not qualified for immortality. Jesus gives them a chance to repent. We dont know how long that was going to be.

They were out of his will. They had been judged by Jesus and found wanting. Its true if they did not repent he would blot out their names. Yet at that point he had not. He was showing them mercy.

VS 5