Are Christians called to be Holy and Perfect?

[PrayingMantisRcutiepie]

My post is about holiness; pursuing holiness.

If we are called to pursue holiness, that tells me that holiness is something we are to go after, and press towards, in that we must apply ourselves in the activity of purposely following after to obtain the result of becoming holy.

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14


What are your thoughts on pursuing holiness.?




JLB

I don't see Holiness as something to be chased. it is something that is innately in-grafted into our being because we are first created from the source that is Holy.
As we let go of this world's importance our layers start to fade, those shields were were brought up with as we were taught what it means to be in this world. By our parents, our culture, our community, all of those impressions that imparted teaching upon the impressionable.
And as we let go of that and trust more in what is calling us to release that we become more attuned to the whisper of that indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth and guides us to walk through this world as a wraith, in a manner of speaking, in the flesh yet not ruled by the flesh, realizing our priority is the sacred. Not the corporeal.

 

[JLB]

I don't see Holiness as something to be chased.

I believe the word is pursued.

I didn’t use the word “chased”.

it is something that is innately in-grafted into our being because we are first created from the source that is Holy.

That would seem to make sense except for what the scriptures teach.

Pursue Holiness.

Cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit.

Be holy for I am holy.



JLB

 

[PrayingMantisRcutiepie]

I believe the word is pursued.

I didn’t use the word “chased”.

Yes, you used the word pursue. I used the word chased. A distinction without a difference.

That would seem to make sense except for what the scriptures teach.

Pursue Holiness.

Cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit.

Be holy for I am holy.

Everything I said pertained to the scriptures backing it.
Knowledge of God is universal. Isaiah 11.
The human carnal mind cannot begin to reach understanding of holiness . We are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit to understand that as we release our bonds to this world , relax, and trust that leading.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.


1 John 3:6-10
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you.Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

2 Timothy 2:21 ESV
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.








JLB[/QUOTE]

 

[JLB]

Yes, you used the word pursue. I used the word chased. A distinction without a difference.

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22



Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14


Ok so we are to pursue holiness and righteousness, to me it’s pretty clear.

We are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit to understand that as we release our bonds to this world , relax, and trust that leading.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Yes, agreed, the Holy Spirit is the teacher on how we should go about the process of being transformed into the image of Christ.

More of Christ, less of us.

It’s a process we are called to participate in, on purpose.



JLB

 

[ezra]

I believe the word is pursued.

pursued is exactly ----->be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our mind..Holiness is not how you dress nor how much Bible one knows although it does help holiness is how we live

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

pursued is exactly ----->be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our mind..Holiness is not how you dress nor how much Bible one knows although it does help holiness is how we live

Amen. We need to take responsibility and willingly pursue Holiness, which is walking in the Spirit, resisting the temptations of the flesh, and doing the Will of God . For if we rely purely on the Spirit , without any will to walk in righteousness, I do not think there will be any success. God is God of covenants ( agreements) which simply means acts ( obligation) of cooperation from BOTH sides . Jesus completed His on the cross. His call for obedience MUST be obeyed by believers . There is no option here unless we are willing to lose it all by walking in sin . Yes I believe the scriptures clearly warn we CAN lose salvation also by walking in sin and willfully disobey the Lord's commandments . ( Hebrews 6:5-6) (Matthew 7:21-23)
We are called the be doers of the Word and not hearers . Christ's teachings were a tad different than Paul's whose greater emphasis was on Faith while Christ's teachings refiect His great expectation of both - Faith and Obedience ( and Baptism)
Mathew 28: 18-20

 

[OzSpen]

I don't see Holiness as something to be chased. it is something that is innately in-grafted into our being because we are first created from the source that is Holy.

PMR,

That is not what Heb 12:14 teaches, 'Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord' (NET).

The word used for 'pursue' is diwkw and in the Greek it means 'to put in rapid motion; to pursue; to follow, pursue the direction of' (Strong's). Leading NT Greek grammarian from the 20th century, Dr A T Robertson, indicates that diwkw means 'a chase as if in a hunt' (Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol 5, p. 437).

So, all Christians are to pursue/chase after peace with Christians and holiness.

What you have stated about hagiasmos (holiness) being innate is correct because this sanctification, which means separation, commences when believers are justified, born again. However, it is an action word that indicates a process where we are separated to God initially, but pursuing sanctification is something we do our entire life with the conduct we demonstrate in being Christians, growing to be more like Jesus. It will be complete when we are in the presence of the Lord at death.

By faith in Christ we are holy but need to pursue it for a lifetime as we become more holy before God. Progressive sanctification is sound biblical teaching, but it begins at the moment of salvation and then needs to be pursued.

Oz

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

PMR,

That is not what Heb 12:14 teaches, 'Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord' (NET).

The word used for 'pursue' is diwkw and in the Greek it means 'to put in rapid motion; to pursue; to follow, pursue the direction of' (Strong's). Leading NT Greek grammarian from the 20th century, Dr A T Robertson, indicates that diwkw means 'a chase as if in a hunt' (Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol 5, p. 437).

So, all Christians are to pursue/chase after peace with Christians and holiness.

What you have stated about hagiasmos (holiness) being innate is correct because this sanctification, which means separation, commences when believers are justified, born again. However, it is an action word that indicates a process where we are separated to God initially, but pursuing sanctification is something we do our entire life with the conduct we demonstrate in being Christians, growing to be more like Jesus. It will be complete when we are in the presence of the Lord at death.

By faith in Christ we are holy but need to pursue it for a lifetime as we become more holy before God. Progressive sanctification is sound biblical teaching, but it begins at the moment of salvation and then needs to be pursued.

Oz

You've explained very well Oz
A prudent advice to all fellow believers------ Read first the red lettered words of Christ ( if possible, several times) and in the light of those words of the Lord , read what His servant Paul has written. Only then can Paul's words make sense to Christ's doctrine of salvation. Unfortunately many Chrsitian churches have given precedence to Paul's words which lay around faith , more than obedience. In fact at times Paul has claimed we are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Obedience the critical component of CHRIST'S doctrine was left out . No inobedient believer can be saved is Christ's Clarion call echoed by his non Paul apostles and John the Baptist.
The grace needed to be saved is imputed to only those believers who are willing not only only to repent and believe but obey and pursue Holiness and righteousness -----pick up their cross and follow Christ ( Luke 9:23)
Read Christ , John the Baptist , Peter James, Matthew John etc . You will see how critical obedience is to Christian doctrine. From Adam n Eve to now
...

 

[ezra]

Amen. We need to take responsibility and willingly pursue Holiness, which is walking in the Spirit, resisting the temptations of the flesh, and doing the Will of God . For if we rely purely on the Spirit , without any will to walk in righteousness, I do not think there will be any success. God is God of covenants ( agreements) which simply means acts ( obligation) of cooperation from BOTH sides . Jesus completed His on the cross. His call for obedience MUST be obeyed by believers . There is no option here unless we are willing to lose it all by walking in sin . Yes I believe the scriptures clearly warn we CAN lose salvation also by walking in sin and willfully disobey the Lord's commandments . ( Hebrews 6:5-6) (Matthew 7:21-23)
We are called the be doers of the Word and not hearers . Christ's teachings were a tad different than Paul's whose greater emphasis was on Faith while Christ's teachings refiect His great expectation of both - Faith and Obedience ( and Baptism)
Mathew 28: 18-20

this walk of holiness can be obtained ..BUTTTT this fleshly Body we live in likes stinking thinking .. we allow thoughts images to come into our mind.. the old saying about the monkeys see no evil hear no evil speak no evil .stand true ! we are doing a spiritual walk with a fleshly mind that has to be trained.. i spent a good 33 years working for the devil and 23 years later is still fight the flesh they key is walk in the spirit which is a 24/7 job...

 

[Garion]

Christian are called to assist God in realizen His plan of a functional world.... No more No less.... Don't lose yourself in your own rhetoric and metaphor dude.

 

[ezra]

Christian are called to assist God in realizen His plan of a functional world.... No more No less.... Don't lose yourself in your own rhetoric and metaphor dude.

who is dude?

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

You've explained very well Oz
A prudent advice to all fellow believers------ Read first the red lettered words of Christ ( if possible, several times) and in the light of those words of the Lord , read what His servant Paul has written. Only then can Paul's words make sense to Christ's doctrine of salvation. Unfortunately many Chrsitian churches have given precedence to Paul's words which lay around faith , more than obedience. In fact at times Paul has claimed we are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Obedience the critical component of CHRIST'S doctrine was left out . No inobedient believer can be saved is Christ's Clarion call echoed by his non Paul apostles and John the Baptist.
The grace needed to be saved is imputed to only those believers who are willing not only to repent and believe but obey and pursue Holiness and righteousness -----pick up their cross and follow Christ ( Luke 9:23)
Read Christ , John the Baptist , Peter James, Matthew John etc . You will see how critical obedience is to Christian doctrine. From Adam n Eve to now
...

Paul wrote a lot on justification through faith alone . This caused the "birth" of many churches today who teach the same. These believers are actually taught obedience plays no part in SALVATION. So they are not concerned about living a sinful lifestyle. Many are part time Chrsitians who have believed and " moved on" . Many have come to Christ not to give their lives to Him but to obtain a " fire insurance" and many have come to Jesus to get a Visa to heaven . All that is good , but how many have come to DO THE WILL OF GOD? It's important to ponder on that .

 

[OzSpen]

A prudent advice to all fellow believers------ Read first the red lettered words of Christ ( if possible, several times) and in the light of those words of the Lord , read what His servant Paul has written. Only then can Paul's words make sense to Christ's doctrine of salvation. Unfortunately many Chrsitian churches have given precedence to Paul's words which lay around faith , more than obedience. In fact at times Paul has claimed we are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Obedience the critical component of CHRIST'S doctrine was left out .
...

Rajesh,

There were no red-lettered words of Christ in the Greek manuscripts of the Gospels. Red-lettered versions are a human invention.

What is the biblical emphasis?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV).

'All Scripture' is breathed out by God and is useful for teaching, etc. It does not state that 'all Scripture, and especially the red-lettered words of Jesus'.

The apostle Paul did associate grace with works. In writing to Titus, he stated:

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:11-14 NIV, emphasis added).

Paul taught that God's grace that brings salvation requires obedience of a self-controlled, upright and godly life that involves an eagerness to do good - DO good. That's Paul and he is not opposed to Jesus or James.

Paul also supported the need for good works in this teaching:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Cor 5:10 NIV, emphasis added).

To place Paul against Jesus in obedience following salvation, is to create a false dichotomy.

Oz

 

[PeterJens]

Faith in Jesus brings salvation.
This statement though being true, assumes or summarises both "faith" and "salvation".
So people of different beliefs can agree the statement and mean different things.

When I first got to know my son, you could tell his mood or problems by looking at his
face. To others it would mean nothing, but when you got real close it meant something
else. It is this intimacy that only comes by walking and dwelling in Jesus and His word.

We often look at Jesus as a relationship of solutions. Salvation, born again, problem solved.
Obligations, do this and that, end of story. This ends up in arguments and agreed positions
where our group is defined as "the biblical group" over another group.

There are ministers today who say things that scripture does not emphasis or teach. But
the congregations often have stronger loyalty to the speaker than Gods word so just accept
the ideas.

So a group exist that will declare all Jesus's words can be dismissed as not applicable to the
believer, and only Paul's details matter. In reality what they are saying is they feel condemned
by the sermon on the mount, and loving others, but are less convicted by the theological outworkings
of Paul, and miss the equally straight calls to holiness Paul gives.

As Paul says
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1 Thess 4:7

Peter says
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." " 1 Peter 15-16

John says this
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:11-12

Many teachers are deceived, and have accepted a compromised life style.
It takes time to dwell in Gods word, and listen and be transformed. It is easy to just
set simple objectives and just live to them without any desire to change or become
the very thing Jesus calls us to be.

 

[JLB]

Paul wrote a lot on justification through faith alone .

Yes, however, one must understand the law or principle of faith, and how faith functions, or operates, producing a divine result.


Faith, all by itself, without the corresponding action of obedience is dead, or inactive, and unable to produce the intended result.


Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:21-22

• Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac

Abraham was justified by works, which when understood, is not “works of the law”, or “good works that earn”, but the action of faith.

The obedience of faith.

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26


It’s the corresponding action, when a person hears the Lord speak to them, and they obey His Voice.


“By faith” simply means, God spoke to a person and the person did what He said.

I know this seems to fly in the face of being “saved by grace” but let’s remember what the scripture says.


For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10

• by grace you have been saved through faith

Concerning regeneration, being born again, or “saved”, like anything else that involves faith, there is a command from God, and there is the corresponding action or work of obedience that activates our faith, and produces the divine result of justification.


The Command of the Gospel:

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.


The action of obedience in response to the gospel is to repent.

Turn to God, and humble ourself in submission to the king of the kingdom of God, in which we confess Him, Jesus, as Lord.

Repent is an eternal commitment to trust, commit and obey Jesus as Lord.


This is how the action of faith justifies us when we hear the Gospel and repent.



JLB

 

[Randy]

Why did God/ Christ call us to be Holy and Perfect when he knew we are sinners? What was He exhorting us to do/ be?
[ Please answer in love ] /\
“Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 16

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus=>If you have seen me you have seen the Father. Be Christlike and that covers the direction/goals given by Jesus. "Love one another" "Consider others higher than you consider yourself" -Jesus overcame the world as a servant.

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

Rajesh,

There were no red-lettered words of Christ in the Greek manuscripts of the Gospels. Red-lettered versions are a human invention.

What is the biblical emphasis?



'All Scripture' is breathed out by God and is useful for teaching, etc. It does not state that 'all Scripture, and especially the red-lettered words of Jesus'.

The apostle Paul did associate grace with works. In writing to Titus, he stated:



Paul taught that God's grace that brings salvation requires obedience of a self-controlled, upright and godly life that involves an eagerness to do good - DO good. That's Paul and he is not opposed to Jesus or James.

Paul also supported the need for good works in this teaching:



To place Paul against Jesus in obedience following salvation, is to create a false dichotomy.

Oz

God's grace and love and human disobedience are the central themes of the story of God's love -----BIBLE . By red lettered words I mean words of Lord Jesus Christ . So beautiful, so unique....
Message of Christ ( in one line ) ------Love all and do the Will of God over your fleshly will.
If one were to closely examine Paul's teachings the emphasis is more on faith rather than obedience. This is is what has lead to confusion in present day churches who teach Believing is saving. This is not what Jesus taught ---just my opinion . Personally, I prefer reading the gospels , Hebrews, Peter , James rather than Paul's accounts. I recognize a disparity . Yet it could be my own thoughts. Yet I do. I give far more weight to words of John the Baptist or Peter's than Paul's words.

 

[JLB]

God's grace and love and human disobedience are the central themes of the story of God's love -----BIBLE . By red lettered words I mean words of Lord Jesus Christ . So beautiful, so unique....
Message of Christ ( in one line ) ------Love all and do the Will of God over your fleshly will.
If one were to closely examine Paul's teachings the emphasis is more on faith rather than obedience. This is is what has lead to confusion in present day churches who teach Believing is saving. This is not what Jesus taught ---just my opinion . Personally, I prefer reading the gospels , Hebrews, Peter , James rather than Paul's accounts. I recognize a disparity . Yet it could be my own thoughts. Yet I do. I give far more weight to words of John the Baptist or Peter's than Paul's words.

The biblical word “believe” means obey.

Most don’t understand this.

Those who do not obey the Gospel, will be punished with everlasting destruction from the Lord.

Some believe that you can repent, and turn to God, and confess Jesus as Lord, then later return to serving Satan as Lord, and still be righteous.

I don’t get that.

Unbelief = Disobediece.

Without obedience there is no righteousness or justification.


Some would try and prove that people who are disobedient and are unrighteous are some righteous.


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7

• He who practices righteousness

JLB

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

The biblical word “believe” means obey.

Most don’t understand this.

Those who do not obey the Gospel, will be punished with everlasting destruction from the Lord.

Some believe that you can repent, and turn to God, and confess Jesus as Lord, then later return to serving Satan as Lord, and still be righteous.

I don’t get that.

Unbelief = Disobediece.

Without obedience there is no righteousness or justification.


Some would try and prove that people who are disobedient and are unrighteous are some righteous.


Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7

• He who practices righteousness

JLB

I wholeheartedly agree brother JLB.
To believe is to obey in the context of biblical teaching . When we consider to believe is to obey, then Paul's words/ teachings totally align with Christ's call for faith and obedience.

Genesis 15: 6 and
Romans 4:3 ►

"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."​

Now Abraham didn't merely believe . He was tested robustly when God in
Genesis 22:1-3 asked him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham without hesitation agreed to sacrifice his son . Abraham thus not only believed but obeyed . I can say with fair amount of conviction that what you say is true . Believing means to obey and not just lip service .
Genesis 22:1-3
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about

In Matthew 5: 20 Jesus cautions us believers with the following caveat:

Matthew 5:20 ►

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:2-4

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


Mathew 25: 1-13

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This Jesus parable tells me that many Christians who were not walking in obedience, and in the Spirit, may very well not be able to make it.
It would therefore be prudent to live a life of Holiness and righteousness. I understand we cannot be hundred percent sinless. But we gotta give our best .
God tells us through the following verse that he understands fully well our shortcomings.
Psalm 103:14 ►

"for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
​

Romans 12:1 ►

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.​

 

[GodsGrace]

Why did God/ Christ call us to be Holy and Perfect when he knew we are sinners? What was He exhorting us to do/ be?
[ Please answer in love ] /\
“Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 16

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Hi RS,
I just got here. Can't read all four pages.

Holy means something very simple that I didn't see mentioned in page 1. It just means to be set apart. God wants all His people that are on earth to be set apart from secular persons who see everything in a different way than Christian should see.

For instance, the secular way is to be successful and trample anyone who might get in your way. This is not how Jesus said to be.
Mathew 5:3.
1 Peter 5:5-6

"Be holy for I am holy"
1 Peter 1:15 says that we are to be holy in our behavior. 1 Peter 1:16 says to be holy as God is holy. God also separates Himself from the unclean and evil things. This refers back to Leviticus 11:44 which is speaking of not eating unclean animals. In the same way, we are not to participate in anything that God would deem to be "unclean".
So, basically, being holy means to separate from the worldly ideas that go against God, and to live to serve God -- whatever that may entail.

Mathew 5:48 Be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.
Perfection is an ideal. Jesus also said that only God is good.
Luke 18:19
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

Since Jesus said Himself that only God is good, He must surely have put perfection before us as a goal, certainly not something that He expected since John also spoke of man sinning in 1 John 1:9. However, we are to try and to do our best.

Perhaps, as we separate ourselves from the world more and more, we can become more and more "perfect".