WHAT IS PERFECTION IN THE SCRIPTURES?

Posted on by BETH
  • 2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

MANY today try to use the word ‘mature’ instead of the word perfect or any of its synonyms, but ‘maturity’ is not a synonym nor a definition of the word ‘perfect.’ It is not even a word used in Old Testament or the New.

NOTICE THAT MATURITY IS NOT A SYNONYM OF PERFECTION.

https://www.freethesaurus.com/maturity (see a graphic example of synonyms)

Webster defines maturity thus:

Synonyms & Antonyms for maturity

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of maturity in a Sentence

His behavior shows a lack of maturity.

He reached emotional maturity late in his life.

According to Strong’s Concordance, SYNONYMS OF PERFECT OR PERFECTION are COMPLETE, COMPLETED, FINISHED.

Look at all the Scriptures that mention perfect, perfectly or perfection and see that the meanings all agree:

Matthew 5:482 Corinthians 12:9Hebrews 9:11
Matthew 14:362 Corinthians 13:9Hebrews 10:1
Matthew 19:212 Corinthians 13:11Hebrews 10:14
Matthew 21:16Galatians 3:3Hebrews 11:40
Luke 1:3Ephesians 4:12Hebrews 12:23
Luke 6:40Ephesians 4:13Hebrews 13:21
Luke 8:14Philippians 3:12James 1:4
Luke 13:32Philippians 3:15James 1:17
John 17:23Colossians 1:28James 1:25
Acts 3:16Colossians 3:14James 2:22
Acts 18:26Colossians 4:12James 3:2
Acts 22:31 Thessalonians 3:101 Peter 5:10
Acts 23:151 Thessalonians 5:21 John 2:5
Acts 23:202 Timothy 3:171 John 4:12
Acts 24:22Hebrews 2:101 John 4:17
Romans 12:2Hebrews 5:91 John 4:18
1 Corinthians 1:10Hebrews 6:11 John 4:18
1 Corinthians 2:6Hebrews 7:11Revelation 3:2
1 Corinthians 13:10Hebrews 7:19
2 Corinthians 7:1Hebrews 9:9

Some also try to say that when someone wants to obey Matthew 5:48, that he/she is actually talking about becoming ‘sinlessness’ (quoting Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12) “all have sinned.” Instead of acknowledging that Scripture does not define the word that way nor does it teach that perfection is sinlessness anywhere, these unlearned people claim ‘sinlessness’ is the meaning, and that is why Christians can never become perfect.

We know the apostle Paul sinned when he was covetous in Romans 7:7-9, yet he was finally able to overcome that sin and become complete (fight the good fight, finish his course, keep the faith) before he died (2 Tim. 4:7-8). And there was a crown laid up for him.

  • Matthew 5:48 KJV “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
  • Romans 7:7-9 KJV “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”
  • 2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
    • Beth Johnson

RETURNING EVIL FOR GOOD

Posted on by BETH

How does God view those who return evil for good? 

Returning evil for evil is a natural response for most men. God requires a higher standard of his children, commanding us not even to return evil for evil (1 Thess. 5:15).

In fact, we are commanded to return good for evil even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44-45), and in so doing, overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).

On the other hand there are those whose hearts are ready to return evil for good. The Lord warns those who return evil for good that “evil shall not depart from his house” (Pro. 17:13).

Another kind of heart feels fully justified in speaking evil of what they do not understand (2 Pet. 2:12). The Jews in Ephesus believed they were fully justified in teaching the Law, but they did not understand either what they said or what they affirmed (1 Tim. 1:7).

Still others speak evil of God’s favored and anointed. David was plagued with this kind of people. “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. 12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul” (Psa. 35:11).

David, on the other hand genuinely loved the souls and testified that “…when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting and my prayer returned into my own bosom.” David further testified:

14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. 15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth (Psa. 35:14-16).

Though we may think that David had an easy and prosperous life in killing Goliath and winning all the battles, nevertheless, he testified that many spoke against him.

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin (Psa. 109:2-7).

David comforted himself by his faith in God. First he describes those who love evil and then declares God’s judgment on those same souls.

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah” (Psa. 52:2-5).

The prophet Isaiah warned those who perverted judgment. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isa. 5:20-21).

Is it possible to know the real hearts of these people? Jesus declared:

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit (Matt. 7:16-18).

God promises to judge us by our words.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).

He encourages us to turn away from evil to do good and promises: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Pet. 3:10-11).

He warns us that those who hate cover their hatred with good words.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. (Proverbs 26:24-26)

Again our Heavenly Father warns us about gossips. Those who flatter us are likely to be the same ones who are speaking perverse things behind our backs.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips (Proverbs 20:19).

What should we be doing?

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Pet. 3:15-16).

If we are truly pleasing to God, we will have a tongue that is choice silver. “The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom” (Pro. 10:20-21).

We should never be like the person whose tongue is like the piercings of a sword.  “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Pro. 12:18-19).

Do we want to have a wholesome tongue?  “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Pro. 15:4).  “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath” (Pro. 21:23-24). “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Pet. 3:10).

–Beth Johnson

Women’s Studies

Muliebral Viewpoint

Articles and Books by Beth Johnson

SEEING THE UNSEEN ETERNAL THINGS

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Had you ever thought about involving yourself with things eternal, rather than temporary things? Are there things eternal that we can use to build in our lives?

Another similar consideration: Since God in his great wisdom made this world, did he have temporal vanities in mind, or did he have an eternal purpose for man?

The Lord considered that and declared that the things our eye can see are temporary, while the things the eye cannot see are eternal. Does God involve himself in vanities, or is his work in man eternal?

Continue reading SEEING THE UNSEEN ETERNAL THINGS

Our Initial Decision and Its Consequence

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Romans 1:18-23—For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Continue reading Our Initial Decision and Its Consequence

XI. THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR MAN

Posted on by BETH

It had never entered the heart of man that he would be a partaker in God’s divine nature by having God’s Son run the race ahead of us (1 Cor. 2:9). Yet the Lord has given us the complete scriptures, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Pet. 1:4). These promises are exceeding great and precious for the Lord uses them to give us his divine nature. He shows the same pathway, hope and purpose of God in other words:

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,      May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Eph. 3:14-21).

His plan is that we will be filled with all the fullness of God. This is no small purpose, hope or goal.  If we follow Christ as his disciple and become as he is, we would have all the fullness of God for Christ “…is the image of the invisible God…” (Col. 1:15). “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This is the divine nature—not human love, but the divine love. Jesus said “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).  The only way we can love one another as Jesus loves us is to grow to have his same love. This is the hope of glory. “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. 1:27).

This hope of glory is what we are getting right now if we are growing in him. If we have the heart of Satan, and inherit all things, what glory would that be? We could never be trusted no matter how much we have. If we have the heart of Christ and inherit nothing, we have the divine nature and the hope of real glory. No matter what we have or don’t have, we will always be faithful to our Father.  The divine nature, the divine love and the heart of Christ are all unseen and therefore eternal.  The heart, mind and soul are eternal and will be filled with the divine nature forever and ever.  What could be a greater purpose of our eternal Father than to give us his own divine nature!

The blessedness of God’s purpose is that we are not the ones who form this nature in ourselves.  We have our small part and must accomplish it before God will do His part. But we are assured that God “…is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20).  We can surely think about and ask to be formed in the image of Christ with the divine nature.  He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. Do we dare to ask?  The power is not in us.  The power is in God who is able to work in us.