Are genuine Christians perfect or not?

[Bruce.Leiter]

I see some people saying on Christian forums that since Jesus died and rose again for us and has joined himself to us, we are now perfect. Others appeal to Bible passages that seem to say we are far from perfect. Which is true according to the Bible? I say that both are true. What do you say?

 

[Free]

I see some people saying on Christian forums that since Jesus died and rose again for us and has joined himself to us, we are now perfect. Others appeal to Bible passages that seem to say we are far from perfect. Which is true according to the Bible? I say that both are true. What do you say?

I suppose it depends on what one means by "perfect." Are we sinlessly perfect? No. Are we made righteous in Christ because of his imputed righteousness? Yes. Are we perfect in our understanding of Scripture? No. Are we perfect in our faith in God to fulfill his promises towards us? No. Are we perfect in living out our faith? No.

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

I suppose it depends on what one means by "perfect." Are we sinlessly perfect? No. Are we made righteous in Christ because of his imputed righteousness? Yes. Are we perfect in our understanding of Scripture? No. Are we perfect in our faith in God to fulfill his promises towards us? No. Are we perfect in living out our faith? No.

Free, thank you for your response. You have summarized much of my own thought, but we'll see who on the forum disagrees and why.