Be Perfect ...

[Guest InHisLove]

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 (RSV)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:9-11 (RSV)

But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev 21:27 (RSV)

First of all, I'd like to say that I know NO ONE who is perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect, except Jesus Christ, who IS GOD.

[martyr]

Well, if one does nothing but good works for the rest of their life, they still will not be perfect as God is perfect.  True, we will inevitably show fruit as we grow, and our new forgiven nature will desire to grow, thus we will strive towards the Son-light.  We aren't to rest on our laurels and hope for "fire insurance", however, it is not us that enables instant access to God.  Jesus' sacrifice made it possible, and if we claim Him as our Savior, then we will claim Him in more than just our words.

[angels4u]

Dear IHL,

God made me perfect and sanctified me and when He looks at me through the eyes of  Jesus He sees me perfect for 100%!!

I  choose to live a life pleasing to God but even with my misstakes, He still sees me perfect because  for those sins He died ....WOW, what a Savior!

You know this Salvation did not come cheep ,it cost Jesus His life and He suffered for me on the cross on Calvary!!

God Bless,Angels

      And now I'm so happy, happy in Jesus!

[Adstar]

HOW can one be certain that one will go directly in the presence of God when they die (merely by saying that they are saved by grace) ... especially if one hasn't "endured until the end"?

I perceive you are alluding to the doctrine of "Eternal Security" are you?

Yes we must be perfect and blameless. That is done by Believing and being a follower of the Messiah Jesus it is only by His perfect Blood sacrifice that we are washed (made perfectly presentable) to enter into eternity and dwell in the presence of the Creator.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[Guest yod]

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[Guest Michael]

All,

Would Jesus rebuke his people because their works are not perfect? Look what he said to a real New Testament Church.

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.    Rev. 3:1-5

Does he not threaten that they will miss being part of his coming?

Does he not threaten to blot their names out of his book?

Why?

Their works were not perfect.

[tsth]

Forgive me, but I think this goes back to the "grace" issue, and how we have misunderstood what that means.

[tsth]

Grace-The Power of Christ within us?

John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Col. 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Eph. 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

[Guest InHisLove]

I perceive you are alluding to the doctrine of "Eternal Security" are you?

no I wasnt'...but I was alluding to the fact that one might not go straight to heaven when they die, yet NOT go to ---- either.  I was alluding to the possibility of another state in which we are purified (if not done here on earth) prior to being in the full presence of God.  Suzanne's posts was marvelous.  Thank you Suzanne.  

[tsth]

Thank you IHL, although I'm not of the same train of understandings in the event of death.  I believe we are in the presense of the Lord immediately.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.