Perfection

We know there has been only one perfect person, who knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21 ³¹), to ever walk this earth, and that's Jesus the Christ (Anointed). In the beginning man was created in the likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27; 5:1-2), but then he sinned. And I believe at the end of this age, when He -- "...the last Adam made a quickening spirit" (1 Cor 15:45 KJV) -- comes again, all believers who have become the children of God (Rom 8:14-17) will be like Him (Rom 6:5 ³), who is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3). On that Day it will be life in paradise (Rev 2:7) with Him ("We have Been Redeemed" ^Midi!) as though we had never sinned (Psa 103:11-12 ³²). As for now, some say that we can not be perfect, but Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Mat 5:48 KJV).

What son does not desire to be like the perfect Father? If Jesus knew we could not be, He would not have said it. The work that the Lord God does is perfect (Deu 32:2-4), and He finishes it (John 5:36 ³³). Striving (Luke 13:24; 2 Tim 2:3-5) for perfection is a higher goal than just in the natural. Hebrews 6:1 says, "let us go on to perfection."

(2 Tim 3:16-17 KJV) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

The Word of God helps us to understand perfect in its various ways, and also helps us to be perfect and complete. If we let our depraved nature run its course, ⁵⁷ we will fall prey to Satan, away from the Lord God, just like the children of Israel, away from what He desires to perform in us, and end up in captivity with everything lost and destroyed. The word perfect, according to which Greek word used, and where and how it is applied, can mean "of full age, mature, complete, finished" and etc.

Like Building a House

To envision perfect, we could look at a tangible objective that we would like to complete, for example, building a house ⁵⁶ (for I'm a carpenter), or even a Bible study like what you see here. Before starting, must have acquired some knowledge, understanding (Isa 11:2, 9) and ability (Dan 1:3-4); then, go forward, and along the way, be willing to learn (Mat 11:29-30 ⁴²), not being a know-it-all (Phil 3:7-16).

Before beginning construction, need to be a wise builder (1 Cor 3:10), count the cost (Luke 14:28-30), sell all to buy land (Mat 13:44), give all for the kingdom (Mat 19:12; Luke 18:29-30), prepare (Mat 3:1-3 ³⁴) mind, heart, soul (Mat 22:37-40 ⁴⁰) and body (Mark 2:18-20), and establish a solid (firm) ^Midi! foundation ⁵⁶ (Mat 7:24-25 ³⁵). And then, to build a proper house upon that foundation (Eph 2:19-22), need the best material (1 Cor 3:11-14), a schematic (2 Tim 2:15 ³⁶), all the appropriate tools (Eph 6:11-18; Rom 6:13) and some construction skills (Dan 1:17). In the process of building, may need to learn (Prov 9:9 ⁴²) new things not yet experienced (Rom 5:3-5) to be able to complete the house (Ezra 6:14-15).

Prepared for Troubles

It is challenging to building one -- mine is still being worked on (Phil 1:6) with so much more to learn (Phil 3:7-16) -- but once finished, completed, perfected a soul can rest through the raging agonizing freezing winter (2 Cor 11:23-28), the blistering hot summer (Mat 24:32-34), the dark dreary hellish night (Rev 8:12 ³⁷) and through the fire (1 Cor 3:11-14) if it is fire proof.

Some of the information in this study has been removed and re-edited, and is included in the "Last Trump Gathering Bible Studies Volume One." Some links may not work. Please forgive me for the inconvenience. Thank you for viewing these studies.

With love in Christ!
Al

Burned or Refined

I believe the pretribbers need re-examine their salvation before it is too late. When it comes time for the harvest, the tares will be gathered into bundles to be burned -- would much rather be refined (Mal 3:1-3 ⁷⁷) now than burned later (Zep 2:1-4; Luke 3:16-17) -- and the wheat will be gathered into God's barn (Mat 13:30). The harvest is coming! For each person that bears fruit, it is going to be such a joyful event. ^Midi!