Today,
reply is on achieving divine perfection. Among Christians, believers
are to acknowledge that all have been tainted through sin inherited
from the first pair, Adam and Eve. Thus, there are multiple
understandings as to what we now are to display as divine perfection.
Because divinity exists as the origin of all integrity, quality and
value, meanings for “perfection” that derive from knowledge of
GOD includes anointing and consecration; balance; becoming
Christlike; completeness; innocence; receiving forgiveness, healing,
holiness, prosperity, or rebirth; righteousness; ripening (maturing)
for harvest from the earth by Jesus Christ at his coming;
resurrection from the dead; sanctification; practicing thoroughness;
purity; and the final transformation of mankind that occurs through
judgment with completion of the second death (we say, eternal
life). A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on
Religion and Spirituality, who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no
profile is shown) posted the following:
How
do I be perfect? Jesus said to be perfect?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: He that descended is the same also that ascended up
far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying
of itself in love. (Ephesians 4: 10-16, King James Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: When Speaking Of Christlikeness (06/25/2018); Jesus
Demonstrated Perfected Humanity (10/29/2017); Accepting Christ,
Accepting Change (10/20/2017); Making A Perfect World? (09/20/2017);
Corruption of Ones Spirit? (05/14/2017); Becoming A Full Person
(02/12/2017); Salvation Takes A Lifetime (04/06/2017)
“Anonymous”,
the perfection many mature Christian believers seek is a full
recognition of dependency upon GOD as our Creator and the source of
both existence and life, who will impart inseparable aspects of the
divine makeup to the created beings and living creatures who will
turn to him in love, in obedience to divine law, in repentance, and
in respect to his eternal purpose. Perfection understood as
godliness is different from being flawless, sinless, or in
need of nothing from GOD. Finite tools such as emotion, intellect,
logic, philosophy, secular knowledge, and self-will (we also
say, willpower) lack the duration and power to allow
everlasting relationship with the divine fullness (we also say, the
Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit), who is immortal,
ineffable, incorruptible, and invisible. Sinners must undergo
permanent change that is carried out by the Holy Spirit whereby they
attain existence as a new creation in the presence of
GOD through Jesus Christ. Not only is this a matter of becoming
filled with sacred knowledge as found in the holy writings
through discovery, gradual growth, learning and practice, more
significantly, there is becoming transformed through a fresh
endowment of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD (many say,
rebirth; becoming born again and growing up again; becoming mature
and ripe for harvest from the earth). Consider again the following
that uses language from the Bible:
1.
Psalms 34: 17-19, King James Version (KJV): 17 The righteous
cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them
out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is
nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a
contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the
righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of
them all.
2.
Isaiah 57: 15, KJV: 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy
place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to
revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the
contrite ones.
3.
Isaiah 66: 1-2, KJV: 1 Thus saith the LORD,
The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:
where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is
the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand
made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD:
but to this man will I look, even to him that
is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, 4. Romans 12: 1-2, KJV: 1 I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you
according to your faith.
THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
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