A Must For Every Christian

[Gerr]

OV, Gerry,

It is no concern of yours as to how perfect I am but that you understand you are to be perfect as Jesus was as a man walking in our sphere.

You see I have nothing to boast of, it is Christ in me that does the Works. I am dependent upon Him and His indwelling for the strength needed.

Gibs, would you listen to a man in rags who is telling you how to be rich? Listen to a man in a gutter who tells a drunk how to be sober? If you tell anyone that they are to be perfect, you should be able to say you too can because I've done it or somebody else other than Christ has done it! Otherwise you are whistling Dixie.

Quote:

Don't chide me for using quotes and scripture as that is more solid than my testimony to any. So here I give some more scripture.

If our salvation depends on our achieving perfection what would you say when a Baptist or anyone asks you - Are you saved? Not yet because I'm not yet perfect? If not now, when?

The Good News, Gibs, is: the moment I truly believe and fully trust in Jesus, I am accounted perfect, without ANY flaw of any kind, as though I have never sinned. Like the prodigal son I am covered by His robe of righteousness. His righteousness ALONE is my ticket to heaven. But since He cannot lie, He HAS to wash my filth away to make me fit for the holiness of heaven. Peeling away the layers of filth takes a lifetime. There is never a point where I can claim it's complete as long as I have breath.

When I tell a person that they too can be saved and be perfect in Christ, I can do so without equivocation because I have experienced it.

[Woody]

Quote:

Otherwise you are whistling Dixie.

Indeed Gerry. I agree.

I've been looking around for a perfect example of Christ. And so far in my 50+ years - there ain't none to be found. All that I've seen are sinners saved by Grace. (Just like me)

[Gibs]

Fellow Bros,

Here is another one on being perfect for you,

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

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

Mt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Php 3:15 ¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Php 3:17 ¶ Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

We can do it because like John says below, Christ in you is greater than the devil who is now god of this world and would have you believe all things are not possible with Christ in you.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gerr]

Fellow Bros,

Here is another one on being perfect for you,

So do you have it now? Are you saved now? If not, why not?

[Overaged]

OV, Gerry,

It is no concern of yours as to how perfect I am but that you understand you are to be perfect as Jesus was as a man walking in our sphere.

You see I have nothing to boast of, it is Christ in me that does the Works. I am dependent upon Him and His indwelling for the strength needed.

Don't chide me for using quotes and scripture as that is more solid than my testimony to any. So here I give some more scripture.

2Co 10:12 ¶ For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2Co 10:13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Overaged]

OV, Gerry,

It is no concern of yours as to how perfect I am but that you understand you are to be perfect as Jesus was as a man walking in our sphere.

It actually is our concern if you are telling us to do something like this.

[Gibs]

OV, My boasting is of His power, indwelling in me, for of myself I am nothing against the evil of this world or to sort out all the lies put forth and most coming from places of "trust" to most.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gerr]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

OV, Gerry,

It is no concern of yours as to how perfect I am but that you understand you are to be perfect as Jesus was as a man walking in our sphere.

It actually is our concern if you are telling us to do something like this.

Yep. How can you tell someone to do something they haven't done or not doing? How can you bring hope to anyone if you can't point to a single person who has done it or doing it? For a brief time 30 years ago, I believed I could achieve perfection just as Gibs is advocating, quoting all the same texts & SOP. It didn't take me long to realize that the harder I tried, the clearer it became that I had embarked on an impossible task. That's when I got down on my knees and said, "Lord, if this is the perfection that you require of me, then write me off. The only hope I have is in the righteousness of Jesus."

[Gibs]

OV. You state this, "Sounds like you are avoiding answering our legitimate questions; and that you are telling us that :"Christ in you" is/or has made you perfect to the point where you don't sin anymore? Hmmm, "Christ in me" tells me the opposite:"

No way is it Christ telling you that, read,

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Overaged]

OV, My boasting is of His power, indwelling in me, for of myself I am nothing against the evil of this world or to sort out all the lies put forth and most coming from places of "trust" to most.

Yes, of course Gibs. This is a very handy line for you to use as you accuse individuals or churches of wrong-doing, as you have been doing on this forum.

[Overaged]

No way is it Christ telling you that,

[Gibs]

OV, All have sinned but that don't make the case that you must continue in sin. Paul says heaven forbid! No Bro. you are given freely His power to overcome and the victory is yours, pick it up and do it.

He made the Way for me you and every man. None are given a free ride and made to be sinless, that is not His program. Again, Only the overcomer will be given admittance and He don't make you overcome, you must will to do it, your will given to do His totally and completely.

Fully repenting, surrendered and fallen on the Rock, your spirit broken that He is your master and not the evil one.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Overaged]

OV, All have sinned but that don't make the case that you must continue in sin.

[Woody]

OV, My boasting is of His power, indwelling in me, for of myself I am nothing against the evil of this world or to sort out all the lies put forth and most coming from places of "trust" to most.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

That technicality will not let you off the hook for the legalism you are preaching Gibs.

[Gibs]

No way shape or form Woody do I preach legalism. If that would be the case you would have Jesus, Paul and the Apostles doing the same.

The law is of love, it is God's characterisation. And the fourth commandment we do because we love and adore Him and desire to be with Him that special time.

Christ in you and your will His will and your love His Love and so the other nine is our natural thing to do. The True Love instilled in us is with that law in our hearts and we don't even need to know it to keep it.

You only fall back under the law when you fall away from doing the way of Love. It then becomes a schoolmaster to you to condemn you of your actions that are no more of Love.

It is Love that the keeps the commandments. That's why Jesus stated, Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments And if we say we love Him and don't keep them we are a liar,

1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

None of the Royal Law or called Law of Liberty was nailed to His cross, He died to uphold that. That law was broken and so Him comming as our Redeemer became necessary. That law is as eternal as He is, never or ever to be annulled.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Naomi]

[Gerr]

OV, My boasting is of His power, indwelling in me, for of myself I am nothing against the evil of this world or to sort out all the lies put forth and most coming from places of "trust" to most.

You boast of His power but you cannot come up with ONE person that has achieved perfection!

[Gerr]

No way shape or form Woody do I preach legalism. If that would be the case you would have Jesus, Paul and the Apostles doing the same.

What do you call it then when your salvation depends on your achieving perfection?

[Gerr]

It is Love that the keeps the commandments. That's why Jesus stated, Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments And if we say we love Him and don't keep them we are a liar,

1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

No more over-eating, Gibs? Not a cross or unkind word? Get enough sleep every night? Not one unwholesome thought? Can truly say you love the Lord with all your might and your neighbor as yourself?

[Woody]

Rather than legalism - I suppose we can call it blasphemy. For it's blasphemy to attempt to present one's self as God or Jesus. To think that we can walk as Jesus walked would be placing ourself on His level. This is what Lucifier attempted to do. And we know where that got him.

[Gibs]

Gerry It is like this, He expects us to only walk as He walked on this earth as one of us. Now you know many found fault that He didn't walk perfect. They were out of reason on what a man is to do. Jesus knew what to do and we can too as He tells us very clearly and it isn't hard or galling. He is not asking us to do any more than He did at which He as a man took no power but can be ours also.

It is as 1 JO 2:6 says, if we abide in Him and He in us we are to walk as He did. Sure why not, He is the all powerfull One and overcoming your short commings is posible to you, even overcoming your sins. For us to deny that we are making a terrible mistake.

Overcomers we must be and He has provided the way for us to do just that, take hold of it, His yoke is not heavy or galling in no way.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gerr]

OV, All have sinned but that don't make the case that you must continue in sin. Paul says heaven forbid! No Bro. you are given freely His power to overcome and the victory is yours, pick it up and do it.

No one here that I know is teaching that we are to LIVE in sin or be a SLAVE to sin.

Let me ask you again. Are you saved? If not, when?

[Overaged]

This is actually a good post Gibs, making some excellent points. Only thing i would add is that it does not prove that when we are "overcomers," we will never sin again; and when we do sin, we have an Advocate with The Father. This is the good news of Jesus Christ. Don't worry brother. We love you! Forgive us if we are sometimes impatient and rood with you...

[Gerr]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

OV, All have sinned but that don't make the case that you must continue in sin. Paul says heaven forbid! No Bro. you are given freely His power to overcome and the victory is yours, pick it up and do it.

No one here that I know is teaching that we are to LIVE in sin or be a SLAVE to sin.

Let me ask you again. Are you saved? If not, when?

P.S.

As long as we are in this "body of sin", I guarantee you that you will come FAR SHORT of your goal of perfection. Either that or your idea of perfection is way different from mine.

[Gibs]

Gerry, You must see we can do all things through Him that strenghtens us. He did not leave it so any need fall short of being overcomers of committing sin. If we truly have love we keep the nine to our fellow man and God and the forth one Then we have no problem in keeping that fourth as it is fellowship with Him who is Love and the Holy Angels. A time to come to Him and have His light shed upon us and to give our due adoration and worship. It is actually a festive time to come apart from the world and find the true rest we need.

"If" we do fall back we have an advocate with the Father. Those who do not have the oil for their lamps through the time of COP, close of probation, will fall into sin and be lost. The foolish virgins have not enough of His Spirit to make it through.

Now is the time to gain up and be strong finding it our way that we can stand unblemished in that time.

We are near the close of probation, when every case is to pass in review before God. Now, in probation, is the time God has given us for the formation of pure and holy characters. If this time is not improved, if the thoughts are impure, if the heart is not sanctified, if unholy practices are indulged, be sure that the portion of such will be with the unholy, the debased, the abominable. {HP 196.5}

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.