Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 July 2007 — Page 32

Page 32 • The Muncie Times • July 5, 2007

continued from page 31 wholly (entirely, or through and through - Moffatt): and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless (how long)? Unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The dictionary defines the word “perfection” as to be blameless,” or without fault. Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 1:8, “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Blameless when? In the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again the same apostle said, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused (betrothed) you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste (pure and undefiled, perfect) virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). Please take time to read 1 John 3:1,2; 2 Peter 3:10-14 and Ephesians 5:25-27. These passages reveal that God expects us to be blameless, as well as without blemish, at His coming. This is the kind of church He is coming after. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless

(perfect see dictionary) before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). This verse proves that, by God’s help, one can live a life of perfection. See also Philippians 4:13. “Listen in” on God’s conversation with satan, concerning the character and reputation of Job. (Job 1:8). “And the Lord said unto satan. Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschewed evil?” How did Job attain such an excellent reputation before God and the world? He was perfect, and eschewed (avoided doing) evil. He shunned evil things, that he might attain to perfection. To walk with God, or to live a life that is pleasing to God, is also considered as living perfect before God. We have, in the Bible, four great men who were classed as being thus perfect. They were Enoch (already mentioned); Noah (Genesis 6:9); Daniel (Daniel 6:4, 5, 21, 22); and the Apostle John (1 John 3:22). The parents of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5, 6); Abel, Cain’s brother Joseph, Jacob’s son; and Caleb and Joshua

(Joshua 14:6-9) all these are candidates for the reputation of having lived a perfect life before God. Jesus Himself set the example after which w3e should pattern (1 Peter 2 ; 2 1 - 2 3 ) . I sincerely believe that if we ministers, especially pastors and teachers, would teach this higher standard of

Christian living (perfection) to our church folk, as the apostles Peter, Paul and James did, we would not have so many “spiritual weaklings” and backsliders. 'If we had perfection in Christian living as our goal, it would automatically begin to eliminate immodest and immoral dressing.

careless living, failing to tithe and support God’s cause, and the watching of those ungodly television programs which contaminate every-one in the home, and all those who come to visit. Keep this in mind: perfection in Christian living, is a sure route to glory (heaven)

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