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 : 26 Aug, 2022 04:29 PM
littledavid writes about me Ted and says - 'He (Ted) also ignores or explains away other verses in the Bible that clearly say no person is perfect.'
What does the Messiah say - Matthew 5:48 '>>>Be ye therefore perfect<<<, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.'
Would the Messiah Yah'shau tell us we can be PERFECT like his Father in heaven if it was not possible??? Yet littledavid keeps calling Him a LIAR??? But ONLY because littledavid is a living by example of his 'continually sinning perfectionism' said so by himself many times on this forum as a witness!
so litteldavid claims I do not post other verses, yet provides no proof here to read????? WHY???? where is the evidence???? CRICKETS ARE CHIRPING AGAIN!
littledavid goes on to flap his gums while drooling on himself and says - ' For quite some time the Teddy has been ignoring these parts of the Bible because he doesn’t wanna think of himself as a sinner‼
Well that's quite the read into what I never said (which makes him a LIAR!) and besides that WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE posted here for all to read??? CRICKETS ARE CHIRPING AGAIN and AGAIN, the noise is DEFENING beside littledavids LACK OF PROOF!
Lets take another look at the CULT article posting that I posted before in my last entry here in this thread and repost it here again -
QUOTE of CULT article - '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.'
Do REAL BORN AGAIN Christians then 'do indeed sin' this side of heaven according to John found in 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.' NOPE!
Not hardly says INSPIRIED John and therefore obviously the CULT article author is a LIAR then (not John!) and CERTAINLY not inspired by his direct contradiction to HOLY SCRIPTURE, right readers!?
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 04:34 PM
But lets dig deeper into the authors CULT teaching and assumptions when he CLAIMS those that can plainly read 1 John 3:9 then somehow 'reduce sin to nothingness' he says but where did that staement come from, he just made it up to justify his self taught 'continually sinning perfectionism' doctrine outside Scripture just like mooncakes and littledavid (the mom and son duo!
(LOL!) do! Right? Nobody here on this forum is 'reducing' PAST 'sin to nothingness' because its the Father in heaven that has reduced PAST sin to the depths of the sea where He cast them and ALSO, THEN, Father YHWH give us POWER, HIS POWER over sin daily, right?
Jude 24 - Now unto Him (Father YHWH by His POWER!) that is able to keep you from falling (into sin daily!), and to present you faultless (sinless) before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy,'
ANOTHER verse that goes PERFECTLY with 1 John 3:9!!! WOWSA! Its soooooo obvious to the BORN AGAIN Saints reading these verses but not to the WICKED that are 'continually
sinning perfectionist' and claim the more you sin the more PERFECT you are until His second coming! (please note there is no previous 'secret rapture' that is not found in the Bible before his second coming, ok?)
So according to the CULT author of the article, John and Jude are now claiming sinless 'perfection' can be achieved this side of heaven and rightly so but the CULT author of the article now claims they are 'ultimately call(ing) God a liar' in his own words, that is if John and Jude where yet here alive today and not still sleeping in hell the grave, making these written statements!
CORRECT? YICKS! So the CULT author of the article claims INSPIRATION OVER TOP OF John and Jude!!!??? OUCH! Is it obvious WHO we should believe!? YES, the CLOSED
CANON Bible >>>not<<< claimed to be other worldly continually sinning men today, supposedly continued NT teachers, right?
So it is the CULT author of the article that is ACTUALLY 'spit(ing) in the face of YHWH and trample(s) upon' the HOLY INSPIRED WRITERS OF THE CLOSED CANON BIBLE which of course is FATHER YHWH WORD made flesh, His own begotten Son that came from Him! AMEN! CASE CLOSED!
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 04:59 PM
mooncakes! I'm ONLY worried about you in the sense of your loss of salvation because you refuse to repent of your sin of LYING about your age and NOT making a public confession of faith here and get it over with both to your Father in heaven and readers of this forum!
I have personally seen you change your profile and age LONG AGO when you was 'cupcake' and a different age to your current profile name now and age , so its NOT just Jayzeee that had noticed and caught you but me also!
YOUR BUSTED and we will remind you until you admit your guilt like the Bible say to do! Got it?
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 05:10 PM
You cannot miss the CULT teachings of this WICKED SINFUL author of this article, that completely contradicts John and Jude! When the WICKED SINFUL author writes - QUOTE -
'Whilst we won’t ever be free of sin in this life, it should not drive us to despair'
BUT THE BIBLICAL TRUTH IS -
Jude 24 - Now unto Him (Father YHWH by His POWER!) that is able to keep you from falling (into sin daily!), and to present you faultless (sinless) before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy,'
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 : 26 Aug, 2022 07:19 PM
The TeddyBug falsely accuses moonlight of lying and doesn’t even bother to ask about possible misprints (which happen all the time). Seems the TeddyBug is so used to lying, he needs to drag everyone else down to his level. Very sad‼️‼️
Instead of conducting a carful investigation, the TeddyBug just jumps to his false knee jerk conclusions‼️‼️‼️
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 07:30 PM
Thanks TeddyBug for revealing your slanderous messaging. No one is surprised of course. Now you need to go the distance and confess your sins. Will you do that!!
You also lie about moonlight. You don’t even bother checking to see why her age was off by an insignificant number.
Do you think maybe there just could be an explanation different than the one you chose, like maybe a misprint or something else. No, you just fly off the handle and rush to judgement ‼️‼️‼️
Perhaps you have a felt need to drag others down to your lying level. Needless to say, your lies and exaggerations about others are documented all over the forums for all to see ‼️‼️‼️
Yet littledavid keeps calling Him a LIAR??? 
But ONLY because littledavid is a living by example of his 'continually sinning perfectionism' said so by himself many times on this forum as a witness! 
WHY????
where is the evidence???? 
CRICKETS ARE CHIRPING AGAIN!
CRICKETS ARE CHIRPING AGAIN and AGAIN, the noise is DEFENING beside littledavids LACK OF PROOF! 
Nobody here on this forum is 'reducing' PAST 'sin to nothingness' because its the Father in heaven that has reduced PAST sin to the depths of the sea where He cast them and ALSO, THEN, Father YHWH give us POWER, HIS POWER over sin daily, right? 
So the CULT author of the article claims INSPIRATION OVER TOP OF John and Jude!!!??? 
OUCH! 
Is it obvious WHO we should believe!? 