Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 10:54 AM
Sinless Perfection: A Heresy
January 16, 2018 Joseph Oyegoke
“Nobody’s perfect!” You would think that everyone in the world would affirm this no matter how egotistical they may be. In the words of the English poet Alexander Pope, “to err, is to be human.”
However, we can and must go further than just examining the words of an 18th century poet. The sacred scriptures make it abundantly clear that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). What’s more, the apostle John in his first epistle makes it unequivocally clear that we sin irrespective of where we are in our Christian walk. Any notion of perfectionism in this life downplays God’s law, His holiness and attempts to redefine sin.
All are with sin
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:7-9 (emphasis added)
To provide the context for 1 John, a key theme of John’s epistle was to provide believers with genuine assurance of their salvation (1 John 2:3, 5; 3:14-15; 4:13, 5:13). One reason for providing believers with such assurance was to combat heresies entering the church – mainly Gnosticism. The general emphasis of false teachers was that true religion was about the mind – thereby knowledge. “Gnosis” means knowledge. In a nutshell, they believed that some secret or esoteric knowledge was enough to give them salvation and that the body/matter was irrelevant.
To explore that a bit further, the reason the body was irrelevant was due to an erroneous view of perceiving the flesh/body to be intrinsically evil. The reason this was problematic is because it contradicts foundational Christian truths (angels, demons, creation, incarnation etc.) Hence why John repeatedly makes certain confessions (e.g. 1 John 2:22) – these are the type of people Paul would label “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9) as they preach another gospel. This new theology led to a new morality: one that thought the body – the material – was not the real you, but your spirit – the immaterial and immortal was. As a result, they demonstrated their freedom in doing all sorts of sinful things with their body, but downplayed it in their lives – essentially reducing it to nothingness.
Therefore, early in the epistle John makes it clear that despite their claims Christians do indeed sin. Those that reduce sin to nothingness by claiming perfection ultimately call God a liar. They spit in the face of God and trample upon His Word. Christians must acknowledge sin for what it is and rightly label it so. John provides us with the foundation to do that.
Perfection will never come in this lifetime
Nevertheless, adherents of sinless perfectionism may acknowledge that Christians do sin, but often point towards the idea of perfection being attained after years of maturing in the faith. An example often given to back this up is found in Philippians 3. However, if we examine the verses in question closely, and appreciate its right and proper context, we find that it doesn’t support the notion of sinless perfectionism at all.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
Beforehand, Paul is labouring how believers ought to put no confidence in the flesh (3:3-4) before proceeding to articulate how he has more reasons to boast in the flesh than anyone else (3:5-6). Nonetheless, he counts it all as loss for the sake of knowing Christ, for we are justified by faith in him and not the works of the flesh (3:7-9). As such, his longing is not to have more works to boast in, but a deeper understanding of Christ and the power of His resurrection; he desires to attain the resurrection from the dead by any means possible (3:10-11).
Therefore, when Paul is saying he is pressing on to make perfection his own, he is referring to the resurrection from the dead. This is the prize of our salvation in its fullness – glorification – and it is not attained in this life, but the life to come. What’s more, Paul lambasts false teachers in 2 Timothy 2 who try to deceive men by saying the resurrection had already happened. The idea that perfection can be attained in this life is heretical, as it denies the final salvation of the whole person in an eternal new creation. It is only in Glory where sin is finally done away with (cf. Revelations 21:4).
Moreover, the idea of sinless perfectionism undermines our sanctification, which is progressive, gradual and never complete in this lifetime; it assumes purity of heart and mind at every given moment, which is not possible for those who have been born with the Adamic sin nature; it contradicts the continual struggle with sin we will face while in this body of flesh, which is clear in scriptures such Galatians 5 and Romans 7.
Problem verses?
“Every perfectionist inevitably comes face‑to‑face with clear and abundant empirical evidence that the residue of sin remains in the flesh and troubles even the most spiritual Christians throughout their earthly lives.” – John MacArthur
Though we are called to holiness of life (Matthew 5:48) and commanded to love the Lord our God with every fibre of our being (Matthew 22:36-40), none of us do so perfectly. The standard is God and we all miss the mark. It would be a grandiose delusion to believe that we can attain the perfection God requires of us.
Those who subscribe to the idea of perfectionism often point towards scriptures which highlight the Christian’s duty to imitate Christ as a proof-text to support their viewpoint. The idea is that, if Christ was sinless in his humanity, if he was tempted in every way yet without sin, then by necessary consequence we ought to live without sin. That is the way in which we follow in his footsteps. At the very best, this is poor exegesis for three key reasons.
First, if this is the correct interpretation of the divine imperative to imitate Christ, we must look at the best examples available to us – the apostles – who observed Christ’s life personally. Not only do we see an example of Paul rebuking Peter for racial discrimination (Galatians 2:11-13), Paul calls himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). If these two stalwarts of the faith never attained perfection, how can we claim such?
Second, Christ did not have a sinful nature. He was born of a virgin, and incarnate by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34-35). As a result, he was not born with a disposition towards sin, as we are. Therefore, we cannot compare ourselves with Christ in that sense – it isn’t a level-playing field.
Third, and most importantly, scriptures that call us to imitate Christ usually have a specific aspect of Christ’s obedience to the Father in mind. As such, we must appreciate the context of such verses. For instance, in 1 Peter 2:21, we see Peter call us to follow in Christ’s steps. The following verse speaks of how he committed no sin, leading some to think that we’re to follow Christ in terms of being perfect. However, the preceding verses (and the entire epistle) quite clearly address suffering as Christians. In verses 18-20, Peter is comforting the believers who are suffering unjustly for the faith by reminding them that they have been called to such. Why have they been called to suffer? Because Christ suffered for our sake on the cross of Calvary. Peter is exhorting them to consider Christ’s example of enduring the cross as a reminder for how they are to understand suffering and live their own lives.
An absurd outcome
Finally, the idea of perfectionism undermines the idea of Christ’s constant intercession for the believer. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. The need for intercession is predicated upon sin being apparent in the life of the believer. If we all can reach a point of sinless perfection, there would be no need for an intercessor in heaven.
Therefore, using the logical form of argument – reduction ad absurdum – we see that the idea of perfectionism leads to an absurd outcome. Christ indeed does ever live to make intercession for His people. Any denial of this, explicitly or implicitly, attacks the priestly function of our Saviour. We must faithfully contend against any doctrine which would aim to reduce the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whilst we won’t ever be free of sin in this life, it should not drive us to despair, but cause us to fix our eyes on Christ, and the prize we will receive if we continually press on in the faith.
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 04:25 PM
Moon7, The day that you can show the world in the Bible, god holy spirit, then everybody will accept your trinity teaching.
Everybody knows already, that you are a plucking verses here and there, and make a story that isn't in the Bible, or out of the Bible.
Yours trinity teachers are the most dangerous people in this world, more so then a terrorist!!
You people are high-jacking the true words of God, and twist it so good that even Satan are afraid of you, because you are about to take his crown and seat!!
Look what I mean. The whole Bible say: "The Spirit OF God, or the Holy Spirit OF God, or God's Holy Spirit". So I that are not a born speaking English men, or better say, not speaking English men, knows what "OF" means!!
How is it possible to say: "god holy spirit"!! Amazing isn't it!! Is this three words are in the Bible? Or only two? Holy Spirit!!
Again we want to read in the Bible, god holy spirit.
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 04:25 PM
So what's new about this article? Nothing new just another different indoctrinated CULT writer on the same subject of John's writings and claiming John has contradictions!!! RIGHT??? :worried
First CULT article posting - QUOTE - “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:7-9 (emphasis added) end quotes.
We have had this discussion (one sided of course, no response from others) on this forum NUMERIOUS TIMES and yet ZERO discussion on 1 John 1:8!!! Why it that, because they are speechless to claiming John has contradictions from 1 John 3:9 to that of 1 John 1:8 and so they squirm desperately trying to defend their LOVE FOR SIN in their lives on a daily basis (what ever those are!) and weekly (Sabbath breaking!) basis!!! It was made perfectly clear many times by me in this study!
First CULT article posting - QUOTE - 'Therefore, early in the epistle John makes it clear that despite their claims Christians do indeed sin. Those that reduce sin to nothingness by claiming perfection ultimately call God a liar. They spit in the face of God and trample upon His Word.'
So once again the CULTIST writer takes us back to 1 John 1:8 obviously. John uses the "we" constantly. He is speaking to the gathered covenant community of believers but is there in this assembly unbelievers? It would be unfair to say otherwise, right? Isn't that one of the reasons for his assembly, those still living in sin but denying to have ever sinned??? Yet he includes himself in his own admonitions comparing himself, that if he was to EVER have said in his past sinful life, that he had NEVER NOR HAD EVER sinned, then he also would of been calling Father YHWH a LIAR!
Pipiripi, how do these willful wicked sinners like littledavid, mooncakes and some others on this forum keep reading John's writings as to say he contradicts himself from 1 John 1:8 to that of 1 John 3:9??? It makes no sense does it and not only that but they have exposed their ERROR all the more by NOW posting MORE CONTEXT found in 1 John 1:7 that says - But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another....' For John to say we CAN WALK IN THE LIGHT, JUST AS THE MESSIAH IS AND WAS WALKING IN THE LIGHT On EARTH, is to say beyond a doubt WE CAN DO SO THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN!!! GEESH, are they blind much Pipiripi???
Lets look at the SLAM DUNK verse you just cannot misunderstand about the sinless BORN AGAIN Saints that John is describing, dare we, shall we!?
1 John 3:9! ' Whosoever is born of YHWH >>>doth not commit sin;<<< for His seed remaineth in him/her: and >>>he/she cannot sin<<<, because he/she is born of YHWH.'
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 06:05 PM
TeddyBug and the Amazing Headless Apostle make the best Laurel and Hardly comeback comedy team ever‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️😂😂😀😀😇😇
Look at this folks, you can’t make this stuff up‼️‼️
The TeddyBug quotes only certain verses that seem to talk about sinless perfection but he cites them out of context.
He also ignores or explains away other verses in the Bible that clearly say no person is perfect.
For quite some time the TeddyBug has been ignoring these parts of the Bible because he doesn’t wanna think of himself as a sinner‼️‼️‼️
Instead the TeddyBug cobbles together Bible verses in order create his own sinless perfectionism and then declares himself “sinless and perfect”‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 06:43 PM
Exactly my brother, there are more peope like us, but they are silent and practice the Biblical truth. Let we pray for them!!
Please brothers and sisters, if you never has keep the Sabbath day before, do it this Saturday, but it begins Friday by sun goes down, to Saturday day sun goes down.
Don't miss your blessings and sanctification.
My brother!! As you said: case close!! Destroy Satan teaching!!
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 25 Aug, 2022 07:51 PM
Super Hero TeddyBugs🥸🤥 and the Amazing Headless Apostle ride the Wild West frontier again ‼️‼️‼️‼️😀🤣😨😂😇
Except the TeddyBugs sometimes flies, that is, after he heals up after flying head on into trees because he keeps putting his super hero cape on backwards‼️‼️🤣😨😁😀🥸
TeddyBugs, how many times have I told you to put your super hero cape on frontwards.
I’m only trying to keep you from flying into anymore of those false teachings trees and those heretical garbage cans‼️‼️‼️😨🤣😀😇
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 26 Aug, 2022 04:16 PM
All iwas asking you to do is make quick short comments supporting me like Ido you, then you can continueon with your WONERDFUL in depth studies to be shared on this corrupted forum by the two IDIOTS of moon and tinydavid, ok? Oooh and I never use the PERFECT number 7 to quote mooncakes by her actual forum name 'moonlight7' because she does NOT keep the 7th day Sabbath, you see? For your information she has changed her profile name from originally 'cupcake' to now 'moonlight' a to change her AGE to deceive men on this dating site, you see? Jayzeee another woman exposed her about tis long ago but of course she keeps denying it and LYING about it all the more! She is a very wicked woman and you know now a false teacher! YES lets keep exposing them (their false doctrine of 'trinity'triads', state of the dead, supposedly no 'righteousness by faith' they deny, 'eternal torment' and those two words NEVER found together in the Bible and so on other bad teachings!) even in my limited time here on the forum to do so! AMEN! Of course we agree about the 7th day Sabbath, it will be THE crucial end time teaching and how its DIRECTLY related with the 'mark of the beast' that come from the W H O R E and HARLOT cathoholic church' CULT described by John as the FIRST beast in Revelation 13:1-9 and its detail described and judgment found in ALL of chapter 17 of Revelations! AGREE?:
Read this article from BLACK BEREA for those who think they’re “perfect” and have become sinless enough to keep the whole law
Posted : 26 Aug, 2022 04:25 PM
Sorry readers, I don't know how this forum posted a personal message here in this thread all because they did not like me using the very word W H O R E that the Bible uses to describe the cathoholic church' and world power government recognized by all country's today!