Scripture: In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said:
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The objective of overcomingself.net is to help self remove barriers that block out God. This topic
certainly fits that purpose. Probably you have heard, "Nobody's perfect," Then in Matthew 5:48
Jesus tells His followers, "Be ye perfect." This article is to get understanding.
certainly fits that purpose. Probably you have heard, "Nobody's perfect," Then in Matthew 5:48
Jesus tells His followers, "Be ye perfect." This article is to get understanding.
In Genesis 3:4, the serpent flipped over God's command. God told Adam and Eve that if they ate
the forbidden fruit "thou shalt surely die" (sin, Genesis 2:17). The serpent, the devil, said unto
the woman,"Ye shall not surely die," thus poisoning the purity of God's command in the minds
of Eve and then Adam.
the forbidden fruit "thou shalt surely die" (sin, Genesis 2:17). The serpent, the devil, said unto
the woman,"Ye shall not surely die," thus poisoning the purity of God's command in the minds
of Eve and then Adam.
Now today in many corners, including and especially religious, we hear the contradiction of
Jesus, telling us: "Ye shall not be perfect." However, God has placed ministers of Christ here to
teach "the words of faith and good coctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6). God knows what we need against
Satan's lies and his word confusions, and so charges, "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). So
now, a word about "PERFECT."
Jesus, telling us: "Ye shall not be perfect." However, God has placed ministers of Christ here to
teach "the words of faith and good coctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6). God knows what we need against
Satan's lies and his word confusions, and so charges, "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). So
now, a word about "PERFECT."
Let us say, a plumber closed out his work fixing pipes in the attic of an old house. But the
plumber failed to tighten the couplings and now water is dripping all over. Would it do for the
plumber to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No, just fix the pipes please.
plumber failed to tighten the couplings and now water is dripping all over. Would it do for the
plumber to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No, just fix the pipes please.
Let us say, a road crew working at a high risk intersection put up a stop sign, but on the wrong
corner. Would it do for the crew worker to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No just go back and
install the sign properly please.
corner. Would it do for the crew worker to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No just go back and
install the sign properly please.
Let us say, a political leader takes a bribe to give away sensitive data to a known national enemy.
Would it do for the leader to answer by saying, "Nobody's perfect." No, because there are
serious consequences for treason. That is why there are laws and oaths against such
"imperfections."
Would it do for the leader to answer by saying, "Nobody's perfect." No, because there are
serious consequences for treason. That is why there are laws and oaths against such
"imperfections."
When our own self is directly at stake, we understand quite well the necessity of following high
standards (think, brain surgery). However, when it comes to God's words, how quickly people
get slothful and careless. When a person has not overcome self (or has been brainwashed), they
try to lower the bar, and bring down the standard. It is a subtle way of rejecting God's word. It is
done to accommodate the ignorance, slothfulness, and rebellion of "self." By saying "nobody's
perfect, we're only human...", they write off a portion of God's word. This is why in order to
Overcome Self, we need to get a handle on being "Perfect," like the Bible says.
standards (think, brain surgery). However, when it comes to God's words, how quickly people
get slothful and careless. When a person has not overcome self (or has been brainwashed), they
try to lower the bar, and bring down the standard. It is a subtle way of rejecting God's word. It is
done to accommodate the ignorance, slothfulness, and rebellion of "self." By saying "nobody's
perfect, we're only human...", they write off a portion of God's word. This is why in order to
Overcome Self, we need to get a handle on being "Perfect," like the Bible says.
God is immortal. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This scripture shows that God is
immortal. He makes no mistakes. He is "everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2), and thus not subject to
bondage of flesh, or any false persuasion. "God is not a man .." (Numbers 23:19; cf. 1 Samuel
15:29; James 1:17).
only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This scripture shows that God is
immortal. He makes no mistakes. He is "everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2), and thus not subject to
bondage of flesh, or any false persuasion. "God is not a man .." (Numbers 23:19; cf. 1 Samuel
15:29; James 1:17).
Man is mortal. From Romans 8:1-11 comes this, But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus
from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (verse 11). This shows that humankind is
mortal, in the flesh, subject to death. Man is subject to sins, faults, and despite his best efforts,
will make mistakes. However, unlike the animals, God made man a "soul" (Hebrew 10:39) that
needs saving, by obeying the Creator out of love. Man is not a robot on automatic (although
some act that way), but created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).
from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (verse 11). This shows that humankind is
mortal, in the flesh, subject to death. Man is subject to sins, faults, and despite his best efforts,
will make mistakes. However, unlike the animals, God made man a "soul" (Hebrew 10:39) that
needs saving, by obeying the Creator out of love. Man is not a robot on automatic (although
some act that way), but created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).
In 1 Kings 15:14-24 we read that king "Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord" (verse 14). But
this did not exempt Asa later from wrongdoing. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:7-14, Asa relied
on Syria when he should have relied on the Lord. Then Asa put in prison the messenger who
told him hewas wrong, and oppressed some of the people. Then later when he was much
diseased in his feet he sought physicians but not to the Lord, as he should have. You see, the
earlier mention of his "perfect" heart was based on God's reckoning toward the good efforts of
Asa in Israel. Only God has all the facts (Acts 1:24; 15:8; John 2:25).
this did not exempt Asa later from wrongdoing. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 16:7-14, Asa relied
on Syria when he should have relied on the Lord. Then Asa put in prison the messenger who
told him hewas wrong, and oppressed some of the people. Then later when he was much
diseased in his feet he sought physicians but not to the Lord, as he should have. You see, the
earlier mention of his "perfect" heart was based on God's reckoning toward the good efforts of
Asa in Israel. Only God has all the facts (Acts 1:24; 15:8; John 2:25).
Helpful to this matter are 2 Thessalonians 1:5,11. Which is a manifest token of the righteous
judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also
suffer: 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.
Notice, "counted worthy" and "count you worthy." We don't make it with God because of
absolute flawlessness, but because He who knows us, may "count" (reckon) us so (cp Luke
20:35). How do we get to be so "counted" by God?
judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also
suffer: 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.
Notice, "counted worthy" and "count you worthy." We don't make it with God because of
absolute flawlessness, but because He who knows us, may "count" (reckon) us so (cp Luke
20:35). How do we get to be so "counted" by God?
The way a soul comes to be counted perfect by God, is by being fully obedient. James 1:4
says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. Jesus led the way and left an example (Hebrews 5:8-9), 8. Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9. And being made perfect, he became
the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Here are some everyday examples
of why this is so important:
says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. Jesus led the way and left an example (Hebrews 5:8-9), 8. Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9. And being made perfect, he became
the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Here are some everyday examples
of why this is so important:
After acknowledging the Bible goal is set high, some will say, "It is
not possible to reach it," which is evil and discouraging to say.
not possible to reach it," which is evil and discouraging to say.
Counselors on lowering stress will say, "Do not be over hard on
yourself; you may have to ease up." When overdoing it, such
advice can be good. But then they may turn around and say ,"Don't
try to be perfect." Subtle Satan strikes again.
yourself; you may have to ease up." When overdoing it, such
advice can be good. But then they may turn around and say ,"Don't
try to be perfect." Subtle Satan strikes again.
A billboard said: "Welcome to perfect church, for those who
aren't." The problem is, we never read of Jesus and the apostles
lowering people's standard with culture-based false humility. We
need all the help we can get in the other direction.
aren't." The problem is, we never read of Jesus and the apostles
lowering people's standard with culture-based false humility. We
need all the help we can get in the other direction.
Some may contend that being perfect makes people into half-baked, arrogant know-it-alls who
pretend they can do no wrong. No, just the opposite. When rightly understood, humility comes
when people realize that perfection comes only when so granted by God who must approve us.
It is so foolish to think that humanistic self-esteem approaches will make nicer people than the
true gospel of Christ. To paraphrase somebody's old quote, the true gospel "has not been tried
and found wanting; the problem is when it has not been tried." And God will deal with the
arrogant or ignorant who try to hijack "perfect" to cover their own wrongness.
pretend they can do no wrong. No, just the opposite. When rightly understood, humility comes
when people realize that perfection comes only when so granted by God who must approve us.
It is so foolish to think that humanistic self-esteem approaches will make nicer people than the
true gospel of Christ. To paraphrase somebody's old quote, the true gospel "has not been tried
and found wanting; the problem is when it has not been tried." And God will deal with the
arrogant or ignorant who try to hijack "perfect" to cover their own wrongness.
In a Nov. 2004 advertising mailer for an automobile brand [in which, ironically, "pursue" was
misspelled], the ad said, "We persue perfection so you can persue living." (sic) People that
pursue perfection with cars, can do so with their own souls.
misspelled], the ad said, "We persue perfection so you can persue living." (sic) People that
pursue perfection with cars, can do so with their own souls.
Another Bible word associated with perfect is "blameless" As used of the Christian in Philippians
2:15, blameless does not mean never sinned - only Jesus can claim that. It means one is not
sinning now, has fully repented, and is living obedient to the word of truth (Romans 16:25-26).
In 1 Timothy 3:2, to qualify as an elder (bishop, pastor, 1 Peter 5:1-2), both within and without,
the man must be "blameless." That means no charge against him can be sustained.
2:15, blameless does not mean never sinned - only Jesus can claim that. It means one is not
sinning now, has fully repented, and is living obedient to the word of truth (Romans 16:25-26).
In 1 Timothy 3:2, to qualify as an elder (bishop, pastor, 1 Peter 5:1-2), both within and without,
the man must be "blameless." That means no charge against him can be sustained.
In the New KJV in 2 Corinthians 13:9. Christians were exhorted and prayed for, "that you may
be made complete" (in KJV, "perfection"). This "made complete" or "perfection" comes from
the Greek word katartisis. In F.Rienecker & C. Rogers' Linguistic Key to the Greek New
Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), it defines katartisis as: "perfecting, fitting
together. It is used in the sense of setting bones or reconciling parties and refers here to the
growth in holiness (Plummer)." So it is the process of being perfected. In Hebrew 11:3 perfect is
that "framed" with wisdom, as with God making the world. In Matthew 21:16, perfect is the
innocent perfected praise out of the mouth of babes. In Hebrews 13:21, perfect is the ability to
work out God's will in every good work. In 1 Peter 5:10, perfect is the glow after successfully
coming through the fires of suffering. In Luke 6:40, perfect is the ability to lead the blind by first
following the Lord. In Mark 1:19, perfect is the word for "mending" as in repairing broken fish
nets; to put in order, to clean; to make the nets ready for another nights fishing (Reinecker,
p.89). In Galatians 6:1, the word katartizo means "restore" as in surgically setting a disjointed
bone (Ibid. p.518); restoring that which is out of joint. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, to be "perfectly
joined together" means reunited in mind and sentiment, thus bringing schisms and ruptures into
reconciling.
be made complete" (in KJV, "perfection"). This "made complete" or "perfection" comes from
the Greek word katartisis. In F.Rienecker & C. Rogers' Linguistic Key to the Greek New
Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), it defines katartisis as: "perfecting, fitting
together. It is used in the sense of setting bones or reconciling parties and refers here to the
growth in holiness (Plummer)." So it is the process of being perfected. In Hebrew 11:3 perfect is
that "framed" with wisdom, as with God making the world. In Matthew 21:16, perfect is the
innocent perfected praise out of the mouth of babes. In Hebrews 13:21, perfect is the ability to
work out God's will in every good work. In 1 Peter 5:10, perfect is the glow after successfully
coming through the fires of suffering. In Luke 6:40, perfect is the ability to lead the blind by first
following the Lord. In Mark 1:19, perfect is the word for "mending" as in repairing broken fish
nets; to put in order, to clean; to make the nets ready for another nights fishing (Reinecker,
p.89). In Galatians 6:1, the word katartizo means "restore" as in surgically setting a disjointed
bone (Ibid. p.518); restoring that which is out of joint. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, to be "perfectly
joined together" means reunited in mind and sentiment, thus bringing schisms and ruptures into
reconciling.
Adapt, adjust, fit; it is all there, made possible by Christ. No wonder that the context of Hebrew
12:23 is exalting the kingdom of God, for "the spirits of just men made perfect." A bumper
sticker read: "The next time you think you're perfect, try walking on water." Although we cannot
be flawless or miraculous like Jesus, that is not the bible sense anyway. The scripture meaning is
that followers can be counted to "be ye perfect" (Matthew 5:48) by doing "all things
whatsoever" (Matthew 28:20) was commanded by Jesus.
12:23 is exalting the kingdom of God, for "the spirits of just men made perfect." A bumper
sticker read: "The next time you think you're perfect, try walking on water." Although we cannot
be flawless or miraculous like Jesus, that is not the bible sense anyway. The scripture meaning is
that followers can be counted to "be ye perfect" (Matthew 5:48) by doing "all things
whatsoever" (Matthew 28:20) was commanded by Jesus.
Man is mortal and is not God although made in the image of God. Therefore man can be
counted perfect only by God, in the mortal sense of being fully obedient, Roman 8:11; 2
Thessalonians 1:5; James 1:4.
counted perfect only by God, in the mortal sense of being fully obedient, Roman 8:11; 2
Thessalonians 1:5; James 1:4.
God alone is immortally perfect, who makes no mistakes, but is "even from everlasting to
everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:17).
everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:17).
| In secular terms, "perfect" brings imaginations of socialism/utopia, or fears of supremacy/tyranny. That is not the subject here. This lesson on "perfect" is not secular, psychological, but rather spiritual, scriptural. Furthermore, those who presume to reject being perfected by God are those who need to hear and learn. |
OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #15
| "Be Ye Perfect" |