Perfection! Is it Possible?
HP 64.3 We need a deep insight into the nature of Christ and into the mystery of His love, “which passeth knowledge” (Eph. 3:19). We are to live in the warm, genial rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Nothing but Christ’s loving compassion, His divine grace, His almighty power, can enable us to baffle the relentless foe and subdue the opposition of our own hearts. What is our strength? The joy of the Lord. Let the love of Christ fill our hearts, and then we shall be prepared to receive the power that He has for us.
It is clear that we need to have a deep understanding of the nature of Christ if we are to have strength in our Christian walk, and overcome the relentless foe. The wise man mentioned in Luke 6:48, ‘digged deep’ to build his house on a solid, rock foundation, and if we are to cling to Christ, and not be overcome by the deceptions of our foe, we also need to ‘dig deep’ into the subject of the nature of Christ.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Who was the Word?
John 1:1-3, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
In John chapter one, we are told that the Word was God and created all things, and came in flesh to dwell among us. Colossians 1:13-16 tells us that it was the Son of God (Jesus) who created all things. Therefore we can see that the Word is another name used to describe Jesus.
Why did the Word become flesh?
Hebrews 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Ephesians 2: 13-22 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
ST, April 7, 1898 [Christ] came to reveal to the heavenly universe, to the worlds unfallen, and to sinful men, that every provision has been made by God in behalf of humanity, and that through the imputed righteousness of Christ, all who receive Him by faith can show their loyalty by keeping the law. As the repenting sinner lays hold of Christ as His personal Saviour, he is made a partaker of the divine nature.
The Word became flesh to accomplish a number of things. Jesus came to lawfully reconcile us to God, and to deliver us from death, which was the lawful consequence for sin (see also 2 Corinthians 5:18,19 & Isaiah 61:1). This He did that He might be familiar with our situation, and a faithful and understanding intercessor between God and us. He also came to show to all the worlds God’s infinite love and mercy, and to prove Satan’s charges against God (that we can’t keep the commandments that God has given us), false.
What was Christ’s experience in the flesh like?
Isaiah 53:2-9 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.
Hebrews 4: 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
FLB 49.2-4 We should have no misgivings in regard to the perfect sinlessness of the human nature of Christ. He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil. He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege. He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity. In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed. .. . He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He “knew no sin.” He was the lamb “without blemish and without spot.”
Christ came to this earth in our sinful flesh, having our emotions (sorrow and grief) and also having the infirmities and weaknesses that we have. He was in all points tempted as we are, and He could have sinned, but He didn’t.
What does it mean, that He had no ‘evil propensity’?
ISM 94,95 These were real temptations, no pretense. Christ “suffered being tempted” (Heb. 2:18)… The Son of God in His humanity wrestled with the very same fierce, apparently overwhelming temptations that assail men– temptations to indulgence of appetite, to presumptuous venturing where God has not led them, and to the worship of the god of this world, to sacrifice an eternity of bliss for the fascinating pleasures of this life.
5 BC 1128,29 Never, in any way, leave the slightest impression upon human minds that a taint of, or inclination to, corruption rested upon Christ, or that He in any way yielded to corruption. He was tempted in all points like as man is tempted, yet He is called “that holy thing.” It is a mystery that is left unexplained to mortals that Christ could be tempted in all points like as we are, and yet be without sin.
5 BC 1101,8 The human nature of Christ was like unto ours, and suffering was more keenly felt by Hin1; for His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin. Therefore His desire for the removal of suffering was stronger than human beings can experience. How intense was the desire of the humanity of Christ to escape the displeasure of an offended God, how His soul longed for relief, is revealed in the words, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”
In His spiritual nature, Christ had no inclination to evil, but His human nature and flesh was subject to the same hormones, feelings and temptations that we have. Thus He was truly tempted in all points as we are, yet was without sin.
If Jesus was able to sin and fall, how did He resist the temptations facing Him?
MS 140, 1903 In every possible way Satan sought to prevent Jesus from developing a perfect childhood, a faultless manhood, a holy ministry, and an unblemished sacrifice. But he was defeated. He could not lead Jesus into sin. He could not discourage Him, or drive Him from the work He had come to this earth to do. From the desert to Calvary the storm of Satan’s wrath beat upon Him, but the more mercilessly it fell, the more firmly did the Son of God cling to the hand of His Father, and press on in the blood-stained path.
Isaiah 42:1,4,6 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul de1ighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles… He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law… I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Letter 32, 1899 When Jesus took human nature, and became in fashion as a man, He possessed all the human organism. His necessities were the necessities of a man. He had bodily wants to be supplied, bodily weariness to be relieved. By prayer to the Father He was braced for duty and for trial.
FLB 49.3, 4 His [Jesus’] humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege.
Hebrews 5:7-9 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Christ Jesus in His walk on earth clung to the hand of His Father. Prayer and supplications were a necessity for Him, if He were to walk a perfect and obedient life as an example to us. Jesus relied wholly on His Father’s strength.
Did Jesus have any advantages over us with which to overcome sin?
ISM 252 The Majesty of heaven undertook the cause of man, and with the same facilities that man may obtain, withstood the temptations of Satan as man must withstand them. This was the only way in which fallen man could become a partaker of the divine nature.
RH, Feb 18, 1890 It was a solemn reality that Christ came to fight the battles as man, in man’s behalf. His temptation and victory tell us that humanity must copy the Pattern; man must become a partaker of the divine nature… [The] plan of God, devised for the salvation of man, provided that Christ should know hunger, and poverty, and every phase of man’s experience. He withstood the temptation, through the power that man may command. He laid hold on the throne of God, and there is not a man or woman who may not have access to the same help through faith in God. Man may become a partaker of the divine nature; not a soul lives who may not summon the aid of Heaven in temptation and trial. Christ came to reveal the Source of his power, that man might never rely on his unaided human capabilities… Christ, by his own example, made it evident that man may stand in integrity. Men may have a power to resist evil–a power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them.
2 Samuel 2:33 God [is] my strength [and] power: And he maketh my way perfect.
Jesus did not have any advantages over us with regards to the facilities that aided Him in resisting evil. He required prayer and the strength of His Father to help Him overcome, and we have access to the same power from the Father.
Are we, as Christ’s followers to overcome sin?
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Romans 6:4-8, 15 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him… Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3,4 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Tha1 every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.
It is our sin which separates us from God, and our sins which maintain this separation (Isa 59:2). He requires of His followers obedience to His law. Several times in scripture He has given us instructions to ‘sin not’, and although we as finite humans are unable to stop sinning in our own strength, He offers us the power to enable us to overcome sin, and be conquerors of evil.
Are we able then, to live a sinlessly perfect life on this earth as Jesus did?
ST May 14, 1902 Christ came to give moral power to man; to elevate, ennoble, and strengthen him. He came to prove the falsity of Satan’s charge that God had made a law which man could not keep. While possessing man’s nature, Christ kept the Ten Commandments. Thus He proved to the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds and to human beings that it is possible for man perfectly to obey the law. He vindicated God’s justice in demanding obedience to His law. Those who accept Christ as their Saviour, becoming partakers of the divine nature, are enabled to follow His example of obedience to every divine precept.
Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
SC 51.2 Jesus says, “What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark – 11 :24. There is a condition to this promise–that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them.
UL 228 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Gen. 5:24. Enoch was a public teacher of the truth in the age in which he lived. He taught the truth; he lived the truth; and the character of the teacher who walked with God was in every way harmonious with the greatness and sacredness of his mission. Enoch was a prophet who spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. He was a light amid the moral darkness, a pattern man, a man who walked with God, being obedient to God’s law–that law which Satan had refused to obey, which Adam had transgressed, which Abel obeyed, and because of his obedience was murdered. And now God would demonstrate to the universe the falsity of Satan’s charge that man cannot keep God’s law. He would demonstrate that though man had sinned, he could so relate himself to God that he would have the mind and spirit of God and would be a representative symbol of Christ. This holy man was selected of God to denounce the wickedness of the world, and to evidence to the world that it is possible for men to keep all the law of God. .. Enoch walked with God and “had the testimony that his ways pleased God.” This is the privilege of every believer today. It is man dwelling with God, and God taking up His abode with man. “I in them, and thou in me,” says Jesus. To walk with God and have the witness that their ways please Him is an experience not to be confirmed to Enoch, to Elijah, to patriarchs, to prophets, to apostles, and to martyrs. It is not only the privilege but the duty of every follower of Christ to have Jesus enshrined in the heart, to carry Him with them in their lives; and they will indeed be fruit-bearing trees.
RH Dec 22,1885 Through the plan of redemption, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. God has made it for our interest, in every sense, to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present life, that we may form characters worthy of the future, immortal life. His commandments are not grievous; and in keeping them there is great reward. Nothing that he has enjoined can we neglect or disregard without injury in this life, and the sacrifice of that life which is to come.
Our Heavenly Father hates sin, for it is sin that separates us from Him, so He has provided a means by which all human beings can overcome sin – by relying on His strength, and looking to Jesus, the One who made this possible. By doing this, we are enabled to keep the law to every divine precept. There are those who think we cannot live a sinlessly perfect life, and that is true to some extent, we cannot conquer sin in our own strength, however we, like Enoch, if we trust in God and look to Him, asking Him to reveal to us our sins and asking Him to give us strength to overcome them, may keep all the law of God, and live a sinlessly perfect life on this earth through the righteousness of Christ.
How are we able to achieve a perfect life?
MB 141-143 The belated traveler, hurrying to reach the city gate by the going down of the sun, could not turn aside for any attractions by the way. His whole mind was bent on the one purpose of entering the gate. The same intensity of purpose, said Jesus, is required in the Christian life. I have opened to you the glory of character, which is the true glory of My kingdom. It offers you no promise of earthly dominion; yet it is worthy of your supreme desire and effort. I do not call you to battle for the supremacy of the world’s great empire, but do not therefore conclude that there is no battle to be fought nor victories to be won. I bid you strive, agonize, to enter into My spiritual kingdom. The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight–the greatest battle that was ever fought by man–is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of love. The old nature, born of blood and of the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up. We cannot, of ourselves, conquer the evil desires and habits that strive for the mastery. We cannot overcome the mighty foe who holds us in his thrall. God alone can give us the victory. He desires us to have the mastery over ourselves, our own will and ways. But He cannot work in us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the faculties and powers given to man. Our energies are required to co-operate with God. The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. The will must be placed on the side of God’s will. You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; but if you are “willing to be made willing,” God will accomplish the work for you, even “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then you will “work out your own salva40n with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13… The only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite our will to God’s will and work in co-operation with Him, hour by hour and day by day. We cannot retain self and yet enter the kingdom of God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the renunciation of self and the reception of the mind of Christ. Pride and self-sufficiency must be crucified. Are we willing to pay the price required of us? Are we willing to have our will brought into perfect conformity to the will of God? Until we are willing, the transforming grace of God cannot be manifest upon us.
COL 331 Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.
1 Thessalonians 5: 17-24 Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A sinlessly perfect life on this earth is achieved only through much prayer and voluntary co-operation with God,
Is a perfect life instantly attained?
Mark 4:26-29 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full com in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
COL 65 The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges.
AG 285.3 If we come to God in faith, He will receive us and give us strength to climb upward to perfection. If we watch every word and action, that we may do nothing to dishonor the One who has trusted us, if we improve every opportunity granted us, we shall grow into the full stature of men and women in Christ. ..’ Christians, is Christ revealed in us? Are we doing all in our power to gain a body that is not easily enfeebled, a mind that looks beyond self to the cause and effect of every movement, that can wrestle with hard problems and conquer them, a will that is firm to resist evil and defend the right? Are we crucifying self? Are we growing up into the full stature of men and women in Christ, preparing to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross?
ML 95.1 Striving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1 :5-8). These words are full of instruction, and strike the keynote of victory. The apostle presents before the believers the ladder of Christian progress, every step of which represents advancement in the knowledge of God, and in the climbing of which there is to be no standstill. Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity are the rounds of the ladder. We are saved by climbing round after round, mounting step after step, to the height of Christ’s ideal for us. Thus He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification; and redemption. All these successive steps are not to be kept before the mind’s eye, and counted as you start; but fixing the eye upon Jesus, with an eye single to the glory of God, you will make advancement… By taking one step after another, the highest ascent may be climbed, and the summit of the mount may be reached at last. Do not become overwhelmed with the great amount of work you must do in your lifetime, for you are not required to do it all at once. Let every power of your being go to each day’s work, improve each precious opportunity, appreciate the help that God gives you, and make advancement up the ladder of progress step by step. Remember that you are to live but one day at a time, that God has given you one day, and heavenly records will show how you have valued its privileges and opportunities. May you so improve everyday given you of God that at last you may hear the Master say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Through the power that Christ gives us, we can all live a perfect life, but this perfect life is not instantly attained, as we must die to sin in all its forms first and surrender ourselves totally to Christ. The Christian walk is a gradual process of advancement: We are told to climb upward to perfection on the Christian ladder of growth, however do not be deceived that this is an easy thing to do. We cannot expect Him to change us fully if we are not surrendering ourselves entirely to Him each day, and co-operating with Him. He wants us to put in some effort.
We must not become overwhelmed at the amount of work needing to be done in us, for we are not required to do it all at once. We are only required to make advancement step by step. If we faithfully live up to the light given to us by God, overcoming through His strength each sin He reveals to us, then we shall be perfect at every stage of development in our life.
Why is knowledge of these things important to us?
COL. 67; 69 Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object pf the Christian life is fruit bearing–the reproduction of Christ’s character in the believer, that it may be reproduced mothers. .. Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in his people, then He will come to claim them as His own.
Christ has not already returned because His people did not believe in this message of sinless perfection through Christ’s righteousness. He is waiting for His character to be perfectly reproduced within His people, and then He shall return.
How will we know we are perfected?
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment: because as he is, so we are in this world.
AMEN.