Just exactly what, David, is sin.? Lance ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: April 05, 2004 15:28 Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Education - Is it evil?
> Bill Taylor wrote: > > Doesn't the idea of perfection necessitate arrival? > > No, the Bible uses the word "perfect" in two different ways. Consider > the following passage where the two ways are just three verses apart. > > Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the > dead. > Phi 3:12 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. > Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one > thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth > unto those things which are before, > Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of > God in Christ Jesus. > Phi 3:15 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. > Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by > the same rule, let us mind the same thing. > > Notice that in verse 12, Paul says he has not attained, neither was he > already "perfect." Then just three verses later, in verse 15, Paul > says, "let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded." > Clearly, the concept of "perfect" is being used in a different sense, > with different objects before them. In verse 12, the context is the > physical resurrection of the body. Paul is saying that he has not yet > been glorified physically. In verse 15, he speaks about being perfect > as pertaining to morality and the conscience. We can know this from a > more thorough study of perfection elsewhere in Scripture. I hope to > present some thoughts on this later as time permits. > > Let me offer one other analogy about perfection that I believe helps. > Meditation upon the following passage helped me understand this. > > But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and > more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18 KJV) > > Consider a light bulb. It is bright. When I try to look at it, I > cannot find any darkness. Nevertheless, does that mean that the light > is as great as it can possibly be? Of course not. There are brighter > lights than the light bulb. The sun is brighter too. Therefore, the > idea of being perfect in Christ does not mean that we have attained and > that there is no more room for growth. What it means is that our growth > is like a light that gets brighter and brighter. It is not a growth > whereby we sin less and less as time goes on. Rather, it is a growth > that starts with our sinless condition, being found in Christ pure and > blameless. This growth is truly one of faith to faith and holiness unto > holiness. > > Peace be with you. > David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. > > ---------- > "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org > > If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
