Sinless Saint, Does That Exist

[Michael The Disciple]

OK,

Here is the reconciliation.

In what was Paul not perfect?

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:8-12

Verse 8 seems clear that Paul had forsaken all to follow Christ.
He counted all the world as dung compared to knowing Jesus.
I believe that proves there was no sin in his life. Hardly ANYONE nowadays would make such a bold statement about their love and devotion to Christ. So in what way was he NOT perfect?

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Just because one is FINISHED WITH SIN does NOT mean they know JESUS AS CLOSELY AND INTIMATELY as they could know him. Really it is only when we forsake sin, the world and its ways are we able to begin to GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE of Jesus.

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:1-2

So AFTER these things are put aside THEN one begins to grow.

Paul was not perfect(complete) in KNOWING JESUS as fully as he could be known. He wantd to KNOW HIM more. More of the POWER of his resurrection. More of the SUFFERINGS of Jesus in his flesh. To be conformed to his DEATH. THEN the next step would be THE RESURRECTION of the dead!

Then Paul would SEE HIS LOVE FACE TO FACE!

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor. 13:10-12

Then he would be PERFECTED in knowing Jesus! Each day we can know him more by simply coming into his presence. By being sensitive to his Spirit. By fellowshipping with others that are of the same mind.

If someone gave Paul (or us) a word of true prophecy then we would know him more than we knew him before. He wants to reveal more of his love and self all through our lives. In this we will not reach perfection until we see him face to face. Then our hearts(or whatever we use to love with then) will come to a GLORIOUS SATISFACTION and our fellowship will be FULLY CONSUMATED.

In what way was he already perfect?

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Phil.3:8-15

He was already perfect in the sense that his heart was fixed on the goal and sin was no longer between him and his Lord.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1 Thessalonians 2:10

He was able to CALL GOD FOR A WITNESS that not only he but also his friends were living holy, just, and blameless lives.

So there was no contradiction in his writing to the Philippians.

Not perfect- Wanted still MORE of Jesus
Was perfect-Living a blameless life

Let us be like Paul. Once we have known the love of Jesus how could we possibly feel complete until we look into his face?

While we are waiting for that day let us like Paul count all things but dung for the EXCELLENCY of HIM.

Let us be able to call God for a witness that we live holy, justly, and without blame. peace, mike

[SDG]

Does anyone know Mikey personally?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Does anyone know Mikey personally?

I am quoting SCRIPTURE. Why not deal with IT?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I am quoting SCRIPTURE. Why not deal with IT?

Others that quote scripture:

Catholics
Mormons
Jehovah Witness
Muslims
Branahmites

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Those who mock living without sin,

How many of you can say for certain, Right now I have a sin in my life that I have not repented of?

Repentance is a lifestyle. It is not a one time thing that one does when they are first converted. John says that if you say you have no sin...well, you know the rest of the story.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Brother Strange

Repentance is a lifestyle. It is not a one time thing that one does when they are first converted. John says that if you say you have no sin...well, you know the rest of the story.

I guess you are not reading my posts. If so you would see the light of the scripture in 1 John 1:8.

No repentance is NOT a lifestyle. Repentance is something you do when you have committed sin against Jesus Christ. If it is a lifestyle that means a Christian is ALWAYS SINNING.

The LIFESTYLE the Messiah expects of his people is straightforward and to the point.

Be ye therefore PERFECT even as the Father which is in Heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I guess you are not reading my posts. If so you would see the light of the scripture in 1 John 1:8.

No repentance is NOT a lifestyle. Repentance is something you do when you have committed sin against Jesus Christ. If it is a lifestyle that means a Christian is ALWAYS SINNING.

The LIFESTYLE the Messiah expects of his people is straightforward and to the point.

Be ye therefore PERFECT even as the Father which is in Heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

Yes, I am reading. Yes, perfection is the command and the ultimate goal. You have not reached your goal yet. Nor have I.

Yes sir! You sir, have sinned. If you are not leading a lifestyle of confession and repentance, you remain in your sin.

[Michael The Disciple]

God Almighty has given a standard for his church. He hasnt left us in the dark about his purpose for his people. What blinds men to the truth is their comparing themselves to THE WRONG STANDARD.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they MEASURING THEMSELVES BY THEMSELVES, and comparing themselves among themselves ARE NOT WISE. 2 COR.10:12

When todays church members are challenged with Gods word to be overcomers they answer with the same cliche.
Do YOU live without sin? They have been programmed by the teachings of men to instantly MEASURE THEMSELVES AMONG THEMSELVES. What is deluding the churches so completley is they ARE REJECTING CHRIST AS THE STANDARD. Let the real standard be accepted and we would see a radical change in the churches.

The disciple is not ABOVE his master: but every one that is PERFECT shall be AS HIS MASTER. Luke 6:40

There it is Christian. The Standard you are called to. Paul says the ministry is given for this very purpose, that we may be brought to the MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS of Christ.

And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers,
For the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. Eph.4:11-13

We are NOT called to the stature of EACH OTHER. Rather every man and woman boy and girl who is a disciple is called unto the FULL STATURE OF YESHUA HIMSELF. Those who always throw the tired, worn out response ARE YOU SAYING YOU NEVER SIN are unwittingly REJECTING the very purpose of God in their life.

For God hath not called us unto uncleaness, but unto holiness.
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man BUT GOD, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. 1 Thess.4:7-8

We are called to be holy even as he is holy.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But AS HE WHICH HATH CALLED YOU IS HOLY, SO BE YE HOLY in all manner of conversation,
Because it is written, BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.

Here our Lord points his people to the TRUE STANDARD for discipleship. Let us believe his word and make our calling and election sure.

Self righteousness has never prospered before God.

It's a pity that you would call my honest introspection that of comparing myself with others.

I have seen my failures. I confess them before a good and merciful God. I implore his forgiveness and ask for his grace and strength to become more like him. He has, but my quest is not ended.

In the end, I shall come forth like Him who is the object of my quest.

[delta soundman]

Well you boys sure are having fun with this thread