Christian Perfection

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

BIBLE:Matt. 5:48.>
This statement has nothing to do with a person being without sin, fault, or error. But rather it deals with growth or maturity. This is speaking to spiritual rather than natural growth.
Paul addressees the subject of perfection in 2nd < Cor.13:9>“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection” The word for perfection here is “katartisis” S# <STRONGS:NT:2676> (perfection by training and discipline) I want to address at this time the word “teleios” S# 5046the word Jesus uses in the text; Strong’s dictionary defines it as; full grown, complete, of full age or a man. (adult) This word is found twenty times in the New Testament.
The Christian begins the walk with God by as a baby. (new born) This new child requires care by someone who has grown and matured enough to feed, care for and teach; until he is able to care for it’s
self.” As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” <BIBLE:1 Peter 2:2:>
If a newborn Christian does not receive proper nourishment it will die of spiritual malnutrition. This
Nourishment must include both the teaching and receiving of proper instructions from the “Word.”
Paul writes the Corinthians; “I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, (natural
man) even as unto babes (infants, immature) in Christ.” <BIBLE:1 Cor. 3:1> He then tells them that after several
years as a church, they were still unable to eat meat offered them. They began in a great revival, (see <BIBLE:Acts ch.18;See 1st. Cor. 5:1-16.) but problems had developed among the body, some causing divisions. There were also sins of fornication, of going to law with one another, of eating meat sacrificed to idols, and of improper
conduct in many other things. Paul blames this on the fact “Some have not the knowledge of God.”1st’Cor. 15:34
also see

 

Jesus speaks “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. <

ch<BIBLE:. 8:7.> It appears Paul is placing blame on carnal unqualified teachers and pastors for conditions of the Corinthian Church.The prophet Isaiah looks at the condition of Israel in Isaiah 28:9, and laments; “Whom shall he teach knowledge, and make to understand doctrine?” Then he answered the question with, “Them that
are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.” Hosea declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee.” Ch.4:6
James advises the Christian to “Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Ch. 1:4 The word for perfect here is also “teleios”. James is saying don’t be too fast
to grow up; it is a process of learning, and experience that if it is properly completed will lead the person to a point of being “entire” ( complete in all parts) wanting nothing. In other words, you can grow to perfection in Jesus. Malachi; looking to the future Church says, “Ye shall go forth, and grow
up as calves of the Stall.” ch.4:2 I think he meant that there is sufficient food in the House of the Lord for a person to attain full growth without having to look elsewhere for something to satisfy the need. “If any lack wisdom let him ask God.” James 1:5
Paul after sending Timothy to Ephesus as Bishop writes to him, “Be strong in grace that is In Christ
Jesus and the things you have learned commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others.”
2Tim.2:2 2 This man who declared himself to be “a wise masterbuilder” of the Church 1st. Cor.3:10, uses
body parts to explain the working nature of the spiritual Body of Christ in chapter 12 of this letter.
Also states that as a part of the plan of God for the Church, there are gifts of apostleship, prophets,
teachers and miracles (power “dunamis”). Paul continues to address this need in his letter to the
Ephesians in chapter 4:11-13. Here he names the five callings of ministry in the Church, and explains the purpose of each calling or ministry. “For the perfecting (here the gr. word is “katartismos” meaning to equip. completely) of the saints, for the work of the ministry the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.till we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God. And unto a perfect man, (teleios) unto the measure of the stature (maturity) of the fullness of Christ.”The condition of the Christian Church has changed little since this letter to the Corinthians. At the time
of this letter, he could not speak to them as “spiritual but as carnal” because they walked as men, not as “Children of God”. (spiritual) ” I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for ye were not able to bear it, and neither are ye now able. .”1st. Cor.ch.3:1-2. He also warns in ch. 2:14; that spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. See Col 1:9.
Peter, instructs in his first epistle chapter two verse two; “As newborn babes, (infants) desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.” See also 2nd Pet.3:18 and Eph. 4:15.
Paul recognized the fact that he was once a child “I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: But when I became a man I put away childish things. “1st.Cor.13:11.
Then in ch. 14:20 he admonishes “Brethren, be not children in understanding; but be men.”
The writer of the book of Hebrews sees an existing problem with those he is writing; and states “We have many things to say and hard to be uttered, (of interpretation) seeing ye are dull (slowful) of
hearing; For when ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one, teach you again.” Ch.5:11-12.
One of the great problems in world society causing much delinquency among the youth today is the fact; children are raising children! The same condition is prevalent in the church today. We are short in quantity of teachers that are able, by knowledge and experience to teach the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the requirements for a bishop is being “apt to teach.” (Skillful) 1 Tim.3:2.
Everyone that has knowledge is not, skillful in teaching. This is the reason church leadership must be careful in selecting those that are placed inteaching positions that will impact the future spiritual growth and maturity of the body of Christ. Growth to perfection (teleios) of the Christian Church depends on the joining of knowledge of God’s word and the Holy Ghost anointing. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” Phil.3:14-15 Copyright © 1999 All rights reserved.

www.godswordtooyou.com Revashelton@aol.com
Next: “Let us go on unto perfection.”

SEPARATION(“Preparation for the tribulations that will come upon the world as the end time approaches”.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is an article that someone  inspired me to write; to post this after I was questioned ”What do we do when the time comes”?  This question of concern.   ”Will there come a time when we will not be able to buy, sell, or trade”?  The year 2009 all of us are finacially in debt.  Church attendance is down, job loss among many christians.  Many Christians and non christians have lost their homes.   Christians and Non Christians alike.  “Where do we find comfort”?  This is just some questions brought to my attention.   My Prayers are with many facing these same ?’s  Let’s again all turn to Gods word for answers.   I have posted this same article (topic) on my Bible Study page.  (www.godswordtooyou.com)

www.godswordtooyou.com

 

SEPARATION (www.godswordtooyou.com        revashelton@aol.com)

“Preparation for the tribulations that will come upon the world as the end time approaches”.

 
It is my opinion that the popular teaching [with many variations] that the

“Church” will be “Raptured ” out of this world before this event occurs is misleading.
1 Cor 7:29-31; But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
2 Cor 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.

 

Many Preachers and Bible Teachers have “misquoted” and taken out of context this Scripture for ages past. The text begins in verse # 14; 2 Cor 6:14-16

“ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”.Paul wrote in his first letter to Corinth in chapter 7:29-31

That the time is short: It remains that those that have wives as though they had none. As those that weep as if they had not wept and as those who are rich in possessions as though they possessed nothing. And those that “use this world” [To borrow from and use for personal benefit; and using it to the full.] as not abusing it. [without expecting to pay the debt] For the fashion [The style or manner of life; the visible “adorning” world S# 2889 kosmos]. of this world will pass away. Read Ecc. 12:1-7, Isa. 24:1-5 and James 4:13-17. (Cont. Pg2)

 

 

It has not been many years past that Husbands were “heads of the household” and wives were “keepers at home“. Eph. 5: 23 and Titus 2: 5-6.

 

Then the ” desire to be like others” in the neighborhood, crept in and women found jobs; Then this required a baby sitter and a second car to get to work. And soon they found they hadn’t helped their financial situation. Then they decide to take special courses in trade schools to improve their opportunities for better jobs.

This takes them (loving mothers) away from home and family; They loose the romance of the marriage and arguments develop that requires marriage counseling that take more money from the “piggy bank”. There is less time and money for home and family vacations. Next they decide to miss church to have “family time”; this results in “growing cold” spiritually and the vicious circle continues.

 

Jesus in his Olivet message in Matt. 24: Matt 24:21-22; “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened”.

 

To be “yoked yoked together” is a term used by “dirt farmers” that use oxen or horse stock to pull a plow. Two animals wear a yoke across their shoulders to hook a chain to that connects to the plow to till the ground. The pair must be about the same size and their “gait”[length of steps] must match or the plow will not go straight. In the same manner people that are united in marriage, work positions or in Christian labor must be in agreement for their union to be successful. Each party of the marriage must enjoy the same lifestyle and at the same time understand the personality of the other. Each member of the union must also be tolerant of the others family and friends and their lifestyle; including religion. There can be no true fellowship between Christians and pagans. Or even of different Christian organizations if either party is dogmatic concerning their beliefs. It is as being in a dark room and a light is turned on; the room is not dark any more. The same principle applies with the Christian life; you can’t be righteous and unrighteous at the same time.

 

The term “Be ye separate” S# 873 means “to set apart by boundary” to exclude or be different.

 

In 2nd. Cor. 6:15-18; The question is asked; What concord [agreement] hath Christ with Belial [the worthless one or Satan] or what part has a believer [one with faith in Jesus] with an infidel? [an unbeliever] Or what agreement has the Temple of God with idols?

 The answer is obvious there can be no idol set in the Temple on Mt. Zion.

Next Paul states; “You are the Temple of the living God”; as God hath said; I will dwell with them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”.

In verse # 16; “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”

 

Paul is saying that the Christian is commanded to separate themselves from those who are partakers of the works of darkness of this world.
Matt 5:14-16

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.

 

It has been my experience during my 70 plus years being a part of the “Holiness movement”; if a person holds to their principles of Biblical Holiness they will have few problems of separating themselves from past friends that live in open sin. They will feel uncomfortable being in your presence and will withdraw themselves for other interests.

In Matthew 22:36 A lawyer [S# 3544 "an expert in the Law of Moses] ask Jesus a question to tempt him;

“Master [teacher] which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus answered him with; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul and with all thy mind”. This requires knowing God by having his Spirit living within the Soul. This is accomplished by the act of “The washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost”. Titus 3:5, Psa. 51:10, Rom. 12:2, 1st. Cor. 6:11, Eph. 5:26, Col. 3:10 and 1st. Pet. 3:21.

 

Eph 2:12-13;

 ”That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ”.

 

1st. Peter 2:9;

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”:

 

The promise of Jesus to this separated people was; “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27.

 

Copyright © 2009. Shelton Turner All rights reserved.

 www.godswordtooyou.com Questions and Comments to revashelton@aol.com

 

Godswordtooyou!

 

 

Join Me

Gods Word Too You   also website www.godswordtooyou.com

This is the beginning of my webpage bringing Gods Word Too You! Doing my best giving answers to many  questions, using The Holy Bible/King James Version.  Please Join Me as we walk together seeking the Truth In Gods Holy Word.   Gods Word has been a Blessing to me, may it be a blessing too you  revashelton@aol.com 

ALL COMMENTS PLEASE email revashelton@aol.com