Monday, November 26, 2018

(11/26/2018) How Sinners Become Perfect





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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