God has called us to perfection in Him through Christ Jesus. John 1: 3 says all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. So, we cannot be perfect without him through whom perfection comes.
In John 15: 5 Jesus said I am the true vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. This also tells us that without Jesus Christ, we cannot attain the perfection to which God has called us because Jesus is the resurrected King.
Resurrection of the dead
Our perfection is founded on the fact and faith that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15: 13-23 say, but if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. However, verses 20-22 say but in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
The passage in Corinthians above shows that Christ resurrected because he was perfect and so must we be if we wish to inherit eternal life so our works for him shall not be in vain. This is the doctrinal basis of Christianity and it is by this that we are energized to attain perfection in Christ so we will reign with him. Our hope is not pitiful at all like the antichrist. Jesus said in John 11: 25-26 I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? Jesus’ resurrection is adequate confirmation of his assurance to us.
In pursuit of perfection, Paul said in 2 Timothy 2: 8-13 remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. We are eager to attain perfection because we believe in the resurrection of the dead. Paul pursued perfection for himself and for God’s elect, what are we doing also?
Belief in eternal judgment
God calls us to perfection also because he wants us to avoid eternal judgment which will lead to eternal death or destruction in hell fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Referring to the truthfulness of the gospel, Revelation 22: 6 says these words are trustworthy and true. Jesus also talked about eternal judgment and says in John 14: 1 that let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.
We must be perfect because we shall face Christ Jesus as the eternal judge, John 5: 22. The judgment shall be like the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, Matthew 10: 15; 11: 24. We shall render of every careless word we have uttered, Matthew 12: 36. The judgment shall be just, John 5: 30. Jesus came into this world to caution us against eternal judgment, John 9: 39. The ruler of this world, Satan, has already been judged and we must be careful not to join him on the day of eternal judgment, John 16: 11.
We will all appear before God’s judgment seat to account for our lives, 2 Corinthians 5: 10. We have only one life and after that we shall face eternal judgment, Hebrews 9: 27; 10: 27. We must be perfect for Christ because the earth has been stored for fire, 2 Peter 3: 7. At the eternal judgment there shall be wailing, mourning and gnashing of teeth, Matthew 8: 12; 13: 42, 50. When we backslide, we rather crucify Christ again and we must avoid that by being perfect from dead works, Hebrews 6: 6.
To be perfect to escape eternal judgment, we must do things that accompany salvation such as to bear fruits that befit repentance, Matthew 3: 8;Luke 3: 8. We must show fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5: 22. God will reward good works at eternal judgment, Hebrews 6: 10. We must lean on the certainty of God’s promise, Hebrews 6: 13-20. Since there is none perfect except God we must look up to Jesus Christ to perfect our ways, 1 Corinthians 13: 9-11.
We can attain perfection in Christ Jesus by being transformed by the renewal of our mind, Romans 12: 2. Our doctrine and faith in eternal judgment is therefore based on what scripture says and what Jesus himself said. The only way of escape is for us to strive to attain God’s required perfection in Christ Jesus. Revelation 22: 20 says SURELY I AM COMING SOON. AMEN. COME , LORD JESUS! Are we ready?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, your return is imminent when you shall take your elect away. Heal our imperfection and cloth us in your mercy to attain perfection through grace. Resurrect us from sin unto holiness and as our eternal judge, clothe us with your blood away from the eternal fire. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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