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Discussion Forum : Articles and Sermons : Christian Perfection

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Joyful_Heart
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Joined: 2009/12/8
Posts: 1795


 Christian Perfection

Christian Perfection
My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers
Dec 02 2011

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect . . . —Philippians 3:12

It is a trap to presume that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do— God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements tends to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum. If you accept this concept of personal holiness, your life’s determined purpose will not be for God, but for what you call the evidence of God in your life. How can we say, “It could never be God’s will for me to be sick”? If it was God’s will to bruise His own Son (Isaiah 53:10), why shouldn’t He bruise you? What shines forth and reveals God in your life is not your relative consistency to an idea of what a saint should be, but your genuine, living relationship with Jesus Christ, and your unrestrained devotion to Him whether you are well or sick.

Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows itself to be true even amid the seemingly unimportant aspects of human life. When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that hits you is the pointlessness of the things you have to do. The next thought that strikes you is that other people seem to be living perfectly consistent lives. Such lives may leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary— that through your own human effort and devotion you can attain God’s standard for your life. In a fallen world this can never be done. I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God’s purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants.

 2011/12/2 14:41Profile
Giggles
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Joined: 2009/12/12
Posts: 592


 Re: Christian Perfection

Good word. Thanks for posting.


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Paul

 2011/12/2 14:58Profile
Sree
Member



Joined: 2011/8/20
Posts: 1953


 Re: Christian Perfection

I am not sure about this author, but I personally find perfection is addressed here only as Physical or external perfection which means lack of sickness etc. In that case, I accept that God does not intend us to be Perfect.
But when talking about sinless perfection, which is not even mentioned here, I believe God wants each and everyone of us to achieve it.
Proof?
Philippians 1:6 -
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will PERFECT it until the day of Christ Jesus.


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Sreeram

 2011/12/2 15:00Profile





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