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And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. – Genesis 17:1 KJV

You know, I’ve heard many times lately that we are sinners. And you know what, its true, for it is written: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; – Romans 3:23 KJV. But I wonder, because I have also heard many smooth messages in my short time, that keep people at ease. That do not convict. Messages that produce no desire to see one’s need of Christ, need of a transformation. A message to prepare a people for the greatest event that mankind will soon witness, the return of God, which will be with great power, not some silent secret to rapture anyone away.

I was reading my Bible, and read some texts that really captured my curiosity. We’ll see it later on, but the text was one where Jesus was stating, we are to be perfect. So, I began to search. Can it be done? Was it a new concept? How can this be accomplished, if its possible. Is it unfair? What if I try by my own works? One could really come up with some good questions. Yet as always, we’ll be turning to the Bible, and this will be to get some answers. Ready? Here we go.

Our first text here used is with Abraham. How interesting, that Abraham was 99 years old, and then comes the declaration, to be perfect. No longer in his prime, can you imagine what that might have been like? It may come as a shock to many of us, but then again, is it possible Abraham had a different mentality than many do today?  Was it just Abraham, or in this case, his name was still Abram, that God told this to?

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. – Deuteronomy 18:13 KJV

Who is God speaking to? The word for perfect here is tamiym. Notice what it means:

1) complete, whole, entire, sound
a) complete, whole, entire
b) whole, sound, healthful
c) complete, entire (of time)
d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
 

Who is God talking to here? Is it not His chosen people? His church? His movement that was to complete a special purpose? Thats quite a thing to ask for, quite a definition, is it not?

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. – 1 Kings 8:61 KJV

The heart is said to be deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked according to Jeremiah 17:9, but here we are told to let our hearts be perfect with the LORD. So, if our heart is perfect in the Lord, we may be one way, and if its not, then sin is the result. We’ll come back to this, I think its an interesting thought to consider. I’m not going to comment on every verse, but heres a few more below that I never really became fully aware of in the context of this study now. But so that you may consider and continue doing your own research.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. – 1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. – 2 Timothy 3:17 KJV

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

Remember that thought, about keeping one’s heart perfect in the Lord? I didn’t forget, just thought to mention this later, as I’ll also connect it to another point very soon. If you’re heart is perfect, then maybe you’re perfect. And if you’re perfect, you’re like Jesus. And if you’re like Jesus, then Jesus is in you. If Jesus is in you, then you cannot sin. Might it be?

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. – 1 John 3:9 KJV

The focus could be, as Jesus is the “Seed”, if He is to remain in us. Sin separates us from God, see Isaiah 59:2, and sin is consumed by God’s presence (see my post With Great Power, describing His second coming). More on these opposites soon.

How about hearing the topic of the study directly from Jesus?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. – Matthew 19:21 KJV

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. – John 17:22-23 KJV

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

So, you should be able to answer this by now, but can you be perfect alone? Can I?

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13 KJV

No, you cannot do this alone. No, I cannot do this alone. Question now should be, are you ready to cooperate with God so that He can do a recreative work in you? Are we willing to put sin aside? Are we willing to go through a preparation?

Jesus is coming back. He’s looking for those reflecting Him.

You can do it, so long as you stay connected to the right source. God.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. – Luke 1:37 KJV

And then we could study what it is and why be, blameless.

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 KJV

We may see a part 2 :)

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