Question 1

How are some ways God is perfect?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 32:4“He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!”Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”Romans 11:33-36Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.God is perfect in his very nature. As a result, everything he does is perfect, just, fair, compassionate, good, and loving.Job 37:16“Do you understand how he [God] moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?”Job 38:2-4“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.”Psalm 10:13-14Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, “God will never call us to account.” But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans.Psalm 139:4You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.Isaiah 40:13-14Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.God is perfect in his knowledge of all things.Psalm 12:6The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.Psalm 19:7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.Proverbs 8:8-9“My [Wisdom’s] advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.”Proverbs 30:5Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.James 1:25If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.God’s Word is perfect, given to us exactly as he wants it. What it says always turns out to be true. The way it directs us always turns out to be for our good. God’s Word is the guide for every interaction we have with our Creator, helping us discern between what we want and what God wants for us.2 Samuel 22:31“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”Psalm 18:30God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.God’s plans are perfect, and every one of his promises comes true. We can trust him with our lives by acknowledging him and his ways in all that we do.Hebrews 2:10God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.Hebrews 4:15This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.Hebrews 5:8-9In this way, God qualified him [Christ] as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.Hebrews 7:26He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.1 Peter 1:18-19You know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.1 Peter 2:22He [Christ] never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.God is perfect even in human form, as demonstrated when he became present on earth through his Son, Jesus. Jesus was not only a perfect model of how to live an earthly life. He is also our only Savior, whose perfect sacrifice brings us forgiveness and eternal life.

Question 2

Does God really expect me to be perfect?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:19-20“So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”Matthew 22:36-40“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”At first glance these passages seem to endorse the concept of perfectionism. Must we obey the law even more perfectly than the Pharisees? Must we be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect? Those are clearly perfectionistic statements, aren’t they? But as we read the surrounding context in the book of Matthew, we see Jesus is talking about a kind of perfection that is completely different from that of the Pharisees. Tithing perfectly without compassion for the poor, observing God’s day of rest perfectly but making it a burden to others—this kind of “perfection” misses the heart of why God gave those commands in the first place. Scripture does not call us to a proud, self-centered, uptight perfection. Instead, we are called to humbly reflect the love God has shown to us.Matthew 14:28-31Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”Matthew 16:5-9After they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up?”Matthew 16:15-18He [Jesus] asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”Mark 9:2-6As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.Luke 22:31-32“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”Luke 22:56-57, 61-62A servant girl noticed him [Peter] in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” . . . At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.John 21:15-19A third time he [Jesus] asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”Jesus called Simon Peter the rock on which he would build the church. Yet this “rock” was far from flawless. Peter made silly mistakes, such as forgetting to pack a lunch, misunderstanding Jesus’ metaphors, and even saying something awkward during Jesus’ transfiguration. Multiple times, Peter was rebuked for having little faith. Most seriously of all, he abandoned and denied Jesus during his Lord’s darkest hour. Yet even though Peter started to sink, he was brave enough to step out of the boat and walk on water. Even though Peter often misunderstood Jesus’ metaphors, he understood that Jesus was the promised Messiah (the Christ) and staked his life on it. Even if Peter sometimes blurted out the wrong things, he also spoke the Good News with boldness. Even though Peter once abandoned Jesus to save his own life, Peter later gave his life for his Savior. God did not require a perfect rock to build his church upon, and he is pleased to work through our imperfect lives today too.Romans 5:1Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.Ephesians 2:8-9God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.Hebrews 9:12With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he [Christ] entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.No amount of good deeds can change the fact that we have broken God’s perfect law. As a perfect judge, God would have to judge us guilty. That’s why the highest price had to be paid—Jesus’ sacrifice of his sinless life as our substitute. When we accept God’s free gift in faith, all our sins are wiped from the record. Our debt is paid in full through what Jesus did for us.Romans 6:1-4Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.2 Corinthians 5:17Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!Ephesians 5:1-3, 6-9Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. . . . Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.1 John 2:1My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.We are justified through grace—freed from guilt in God’s sight. But the salvation Christ offers us does not stop with freeing us from sin’s punishment. God’s grand purpose is to free us from the grip of sin itself. Unlike justification, which is instantaneous and for all time, sanctification is a process. It begins when we accept Christ as our Savior, but it continues every day as we walk with him in service as our Lord. There will be ups and downs. We will sin—and we will turn around again to receive God’s forgiveness. The process of sanctification will not be completed in this life, but every step along its path makes sin’s burden a little lighter and prepares us more for the perfect eternity to come.Galatians 2:20My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Ephesians 4:13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.Ephesians 5:1-2Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.Philippians 3:12I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.Colossians 1:9-10So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.When loving parents teach their baby to walk, they don’t expect the child to do it perfectly like them on the first try. It’s a process, and the parents delight in each stumbling step. Rather than living in fear of falling short, we can live with the joy of becoming more like our heavenly Father, and we can look forward to the day when the process of reflecting God’s nature will be complete and we will indeed be perfect.

Question 3

If God is perfect, why are his followers often so messed up?

Accepted Answer

Ezekiel 34:2-4“What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty.”Matthew 23:1-5Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.”Matthew 24:45-51“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. . . . But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites.”Mark 7:6-7, 13Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ . . . you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition.”God’s Word is a powerful influence in believers’ lives—but wherever there is power to be found, some people try to hijack that power for themselves. From Old Testament times, to New Testament times, to today, selfish “shepherds” have mishandled God’s Word, wielding it like a club to force their flocks into line. Yet these same “shepherds” who claim authority with God’s Word ignore its authority over their own lives. The Bible is full of warnings against such behavior, and God promises judgment on those who abuse his flock.Matthew 7:15“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”1 Timothy 6:5These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.2 Timothy 4:3-4A time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.2 Peter 2:1-3There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.It’s easy to gravitate toward what we want to hear. Just as in Bible times, there are people today who try to put God’s stamp of approval on whatever we desire: the pursuit of wealth, the pursuit of a sinful lifestyle, even justifying hatred of people we perceive as enemies. When these things seem to come with “God’s approval,” it leads many people away from Christ. Not only does following this kind of twisted gospel destroy our personal relationship with Christ, it also destroys our witness to the world. Many unbelievers will see the selfishness in such a faith and think, “If that’s Jesus, I want nothing to do with him.”Ezekiel 34:17-22“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats. Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled? Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another.”Matthew 25:33-45“He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. . . . Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”The prophet Ezekiel and Jesus both described leaders of God’s flock who were living selfishly at the expense of others. Abuse, bullying, and neglect happen, even in the community of believers—the church. God gives very serious warnings to those who participate in this sort of destructive behavior.John 15:5“Yes, I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”1 Corinthians 9:27I [the apostle Paul] discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.1 Corinthians 10:12If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.1 Timothy 3:6-7A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.It is painfully common to see a news story about yet another prominent Christian leader’s secret life of sin. With power comes the temptation of pride, and with pride can come a whole host of other sins. Christians must take care—no amount of charisma, popularity, or knowledge can substitute for a rooted relationship with Christ.Matthew 24:12“The love of many will grow cold.”Revelation 2:2-5“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”Revelation 3:1-3“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again.”Revelation 3:15-19“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. . . . I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”In the book of Revelation, God speaks warnings to seven churches. While those churches were literal local churches at the time of writing, the warnings God gave to those churches are just as relevant for churches today, including warnings against pride, apathy, and a lack of love. Yet amidst these warnings, the tenderness of God’s love for his church is also evident. The church may lose its way at times, but God still believes his church is worth saving.Ecclesiastes 4:10-12If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. . . . A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.After a traumatic experience with a local church, it can be hard to trust again and seek a new church home. Instead of attending church, many Christians seek biblical teaching online, away from the messiness of personal relationships. While there are many helpful online resources for deepening our faith (such as Bible apps), personal study is no replacement for healthy, faithful Christian community. When we try to “go it alone” in our walk with Christ, we lack both accountability and encouragement, and we become far more susceptible to Satan’s attacks.Matthew 5:14-16“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”1 Corinthians 12:26-27If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.Revelation 3:1-2“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.”Revelation 3:15-17“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”Sometimes, a local church is simply going through the motions. Maybe it’s a rote routine of tradition or an apathy toward biblical truth. Maybe it’s a lack of compassion for the poor or a disinterest in evangelism. Maybe it’s a desire for wealth and comfort rather than humility and service. There are times when such behavior rightly requires us to leave our church. At other times, we choose to stay and try to inspire change. Through prayer and service in our churches, we can be part of the solution—a spark to once again light the lamp of a church.Romans 12:4-5Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.Ephesians 4:2-3Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.Ephesians 5:29-30No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.The church is deeply loved by Christ—and is even called his bride. How can we claim to love Christ wholeheartedly, yet refuse to love his bride? Christ loves his church, despite its flaws, and in order for the church to become a healthy reflection of all it was made to be, it takes each part of Christ’s body working together—and that includes you.

Question 4

If I’m a “new person” in Christ, why do I still sin?

Accepted Answer

Romans 6:6-7We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.2 Corinthians 3:18The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Hebrews 10:14By that one offering he [Christ] forever made perfect those who are being made holy.Hebrews 12:1-2Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.1 John 3:5-6You know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.Jesus Christ sacrificed himself to free us from sin in every way. Through the cross, we are justified—freed from the punishment of our sins forever. That is why Hebrews 10:14 says we are “forever made perfect” by Christ’s offering. But this kind of perfection is only the beginning. After all, if Christ only freed us from sin’s punishment and not from its influence over us, that sin would continue to hurt us and others. That is why the Holy Spirit was sent to us: to guide us away from sin, to help us know God and become more like him. This process of “being made holy” is called sanctification, and one day, God will make that sanctification complete. Then, we will be fully free of sin, perfect in every way.1 Corinthians 3:1-3When I [the apostle Paul] was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?2 Corinthians 13:11I [Paul] close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.In 1 Corinthians, Paul describes some believers as “infants in Christ”—Christians who are still indulging in sins (such as jealousy) and need reminders of the basics of their faith. As we can tell from both of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, the church in Corinth was often an immature church. Yet Paul never gave up on the Corinthians and always encouraged them to live humble lives in pursuit of following Jesus. Immaturity is not desirable, but it is the place where our walk with Jesus must begin.Luke 22:56-62A servant girl noticed him [Peter] in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” . . . And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.Galatians 2:11-13When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.Peter learned directly from Jesus for three years, yet Peter still abandoned Jesus in his Lord’s darkest hour. Peter was led directly by the Holy Spirit to invite the Gentiles into the church (Acts 10), yet when elitists within the church started looking down their noses on Gentile Christians, Peter caved to their peer pressure. After we sin, Satan often tries to discourage us to make us give up. He may even claim God has given up on us. These are lies. God never gave up on Peter and still used him as “the rock” on which he built his church. God promises to continue his work in each of us as well.Matthew 7:18-20“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. . . . Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”John 14:15“If you love me, obey my commandments.”John 15:8“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”1 John 2:6Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.1 John 4:20If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?If we love God, it should change the way we live—but this change should be joyful, not burdensome. This is a matter of the heart, not a matter of external perfection. It’s not about following the rules to impress God or others. It’s about growing to reflect the God we love, the God who saved us and made us his children.Matthew 13:23“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”John 15:5“Yes, I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”Colossians 1:9-10So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.A newly grafted branch will not bear many grapes right away, but this is not a bad thing. The branch is still healthy and growing. The branch is strengthening its connection to the vine, becoming ready for the fruit that will come. In the same way, we are still growing, and our fruit may not have fully matured, but our growth is still evident and pleasing to our heavenly Father.

Question 5

How can I meet God’s expectations for me?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 13:1-6If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.2 Corinthians 3:18The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.1 John 4:15-18All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.The right actions done for the wrong reasons are empty—a sounding gong, a clanging cymbal, a foolish boast. Such “perfection” can be imitated by many religions, philosophies, and self-help books. The perfect love that Christ models for us is different: humble instead of boastful, delighting in truth rather than a false front, centered on serving others rather than winning praise from them. Such love is more than a passing feeling—it’s a motivation that produces real results. It leaves a mark on both our hearts and our lives, transforming us to become more like its perfect source, Jesus.2 Corinthians 7:1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.Ephesians 2:8-9God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.2 Timothy 1:7God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.1 John 4:17-19As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.Repentance and self-discipline are often spurred on by a “fear of God.” Such a fear recognizes the awesome power and authority God has over us and everything. It inspires us to obey him with reverence. This is a healthy reflection of our belief that God is all-powerful, all-good, and worthy of all honor and obedience. In contrast, a fear of God that doubts his love and goodness comes from a lack of faith. Such a fear thinks the God’s good news is too good to be true, so it demands a twisted, backward gospel, claiming we have to achieve perfection before we can approach our Savior. That completely misses the point—it’s like saying we must be healthy before we can see the doctor. Grace is a gift we cannot earn, and being made perfect is a process only possible through God. The Holy Spirit guides that process with power, love, and self-discipline—not fear.James 2:14-17What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.1 John 3:16-18We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.Love without good deeds is empty and incomplete. Perfect love always takes action.Deuteronomy 8:3“People do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”Psalm 119:9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.Hebrews 4:12The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.God’s Word is our constant source of wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. As we learn to live by it, we mature to become more like Christ.John 5:39-44“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.”1 Corinthians 8:1While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.The Pharisees aspired to understand Scripture perfectly—they could even quote entire Old Testament books from memory! Yet they still couldn’t recognize the God they claimed to know. They knew all sorts of things about God and his Word, but they didn’t have a relationship with him. If we study Scripture to be “right” and impress others, rather than to be righteous and to love God, then we are following in the footsteps of the Pharisees.Matthew 6:2, 5“When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. . . . When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”Matthew 23:23, 25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. . . . What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!”Caring for the poor is good. Prayer is good. Tithing is good. But if all those things are done to win public praise, making us look like “good Christians,” then we doing good for the wrong reasons, constantly polishing the outside of the cup and leaving our hearts untouched.Proverbs 4:14-15Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.Mark 7:5-7So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.” Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”Romans 14:1-4Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.To make sure they obeyed God’s law perfectly, the Pharisees crafted extra laws as a “fence” around God’s laws to make sure they were obeyed. Crossing such “fences” is not inherently wrong. For instance, Scripture does not condemn drinking alcohol—only getting drunk. But someone who is easily tempted by alcohol may put a “fence” around it and abstain from drinking entirely. For someone else, alcohol might be fine, or even helpful, as when Paul suggested a little wine to help Timothy’s stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). The danger is when we start putting our personal rules on the level of God’s laws. For the Pharisees, this meant condemning anyone who didn’t keep their rules. For some early Christians, however, reacting to such legalism led them to disrespect other people’s helpful personal rules and pushed such believers to ignore their consciences (1 Corinthians 8:7-13). Scripture calls us to recognize the difference between God’s laws and human rules, but also to respect the consciences of others on minor issues.Exodus 20:8-10“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.”Mark 2:27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”Luke 6:7-9The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”Sometimes, the fences we build around God’s laws can block our view of the laws themselves. The Sabbath was meant to be a time of fellowship and worship—a time of pursuing good things that please God’s heart; it was not merely a day to avoid work. The Pharisees cared more about the letter of the law than about the people whom the Sabbath law was meant to help.John 15:5“Yes, I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”Galatians 3:3How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?Galatians 5:16, 22-23So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. . . . But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!The Pharisees tried to perfect themselves. They built their lives around “spiritual stats,” yet the results were dry and lifeless. In contrast, as God’s people we are to build our lives around a living, breathing relationship with God. Praying, reading the Bible, and attending church are not ends in themselves—they are opportunities to invite God’s work in our hearts and lives. Without a true relationship with him, we will never grow to become like him, and we will never bear the fruit he desires.Psalm 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.Hebrews 6:1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.James 1:22Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.It is impossible to truly love someone without knowing them—their personality and their passions. But even if we have read a lot about someone and know about them thoroughly, it’s impossible to have a relationship with that person if we never acknowledge or interact with them. In the same way, we should desire to know God’s Word well and live it out so we can love God fully.James 2:15-17Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.1 John 4:19We love each other because he loved us first.By growing and serving other people, we begin to practice living out Christ’s perfect love. Internal beliefs lead to love, and love is then demonstrated through external actions toward God and others. The more we practice loving others, the more brightly we will reflect God’s perfect love.John 15:5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”Romans 12:6-8In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.1 Corinthians 3:5-7Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.Sometimes we fall into a mindset of comparing ourselves to others to determine if our fruit is “good enough.” This is unhealthy in many ways. Each of us has been given different spiritual gifts, opportunities, and people in our lives—comparing the “fruit” our lives is like comparing apples to oranges. But worse, this focus on our accomplishments takes the focus away from God. He is our source, and without his guidance and power, we are nothing but dried branches and shriveled fruit. Our fruit is not meant to impress God and earn a relationship with him. Instead, our fruit comes as a natural result of that relationship.

Question 6

Is there a difference between trying to be perfect and following Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 15:8-9“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.”Luke 11:39-42The Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”Luke 11:46“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.”Perfectionism is often built on human expectations, rather than on God’s. It is often driven by fear or pride and is preoccupied with public appearances and being “good enough.” Too often, perfectionism causes us to lose sight of love—both the love that God and others have for us and the love we should have for God and others.2 Timothy 1:7God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.1 John 4:18Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.Perfectionism is built on fear: the fear of disappointing or angering others, the fear of embarrassing ourselves, the fear of not accomplishing our lofty goals, the fear of being rejected. Christlikeness is based on love: a love for God, a love for those around us, a love for truth, a love for kindness. Such love gives us confidence and inspires us to resist sin and to serve others just as Jesus did.1 Corinthians 12:21-27The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. . . . All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.Galatians 6:9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.2 Peter 3:14While you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.Perfectionism expects self-sufficiency. God doesn’t. While God desires for us to make every effort to follow Jesus, he does not desire for us to do so alone, in our own strength. Finding help and encouragement from other believers is not weakness; it’s wisdom.2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Trying to live like Christ through willpower alone is not strength; it’s foolishness. When we admit we cannot solve our sin problem with our own strength, we open the door for God’s strength to transform our lives and point others to him.Genesis 6:9This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.Genesis 17:1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.”Matthew 16:18“Now I [Jesus] say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”Acts 13:22“God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’”1 Corinthians 11:1You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.Hebrews 11:31It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God.The people we see in Scripture were sinners just like us, full of weaknesses, shortcomings, and failures. Noah indulged in drunkenness. Abraham struggled with his faith in God’s promises. Rahab was a prostitute. David committed adultery and then murder. Peter abandoned and denied his Savior in Jesus’ darkest hour. Yet God worked in their hearts and accomplished great things through them because they trusted in his power rather than their own.

Question 7

What are some of the dangers of perfectionism?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 7:20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.Perfectionism is a ruthless taskmaster—demanding and unforgiving. In this life, the goal of perfection is hopeless and sets us up for failure. Limitations that have nothing to do with sin—such as the amount of time we have available, our mental and physical health, our inexperience with something, or events beyond our control—are not even considered in the balance. Perfectionism is too heavy a burden to place on ourselves or others. Instead, we should strive to serve God with purity of heart and leave the results up to him.Matthew 9:13Then he [Jesus] added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”Galatians 5:2Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.Philippians 3:5-7I [Paul] was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.Perfectionism can be misdirected and cause great damage. Multiple times in Scripture, perfectionism led people to latch on to religious rules as an end goal in themselves, without considering the purpose or intent of those rules.Luke 18:11-14“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Perfectionism can lead to self-righteousness and entitlement in our relationship with God and with others.Esther 4:10-14Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai. Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”Ecclesiastes 11:4Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.Waiting for perfection or ideal conditions can lead to procrastination. It can immobilize us with uncertainty. We will never be truly perfect or sure of exact timing, but we cannot let those limitations keep us from stepping out and doing what we can.

Question 8

How should I respond to my own imperfections?

Accepted Answer

Romans 6:12-14Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.2 Corinthians 7:1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.1 John 1:8-10If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.We must recognize our own sinfulness, while at the same time aiming to live more and more like Jesus. Consistent change comes in small steps. Because we are growing, we will not always make perfect choices. Mistakes and sins are almost inevitable, but what we do each time we fail—whether we deny or repent—will make all the difference. Our goal should be to turn more and more away from sin and to follow Jesus wholeheartedly in every area of our lives. When we do sin, we must confess it, recognize we are forgiven, and continue pursuing a life that honors Jesus.Philippians 3:12-14I [Paul] don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.Hebrews 12:1-2Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.The apostle Paul describes the Christian life as a race. Anyone who has played a sport knows there is no such thing as a perfect game. Every baseball game has strikes. Every basketball game has a missed basket. Every football game has a missed pass. In the same way, we are bound to stumble in our race, to stray from our course at times, but fixating on that failure will not improve our performance. We can learn from it, yes, but we need not dwell on it—instead, we should fix our eyes on the prize, and keep running.Psalm 103:12He [the Lord] has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.Mark 12:31“The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Sometimes, it is easier to love and forgive others than it is to love and forgive ourselves. God has forgiven us, though, and he commands us to forgive as he forgave. He commands us to love others as we love ourselves. Self-hating perfectionism is not the perfection God calls us to.Ephesians 4:15-16We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Hebrews 10:14By that one offering he [Christ] forever made perfect those who are being made holy.We are guiltless, perfect in God’s eyes. Christ’s sacrifice has paid the price. Yet God’s good work in us does not end with salvation. Now, God is helping us become holy, shaping us to reflect Christ’s character. This transformation is a long process, and it is only possible through God’s power and our participation. But we can trust his promise that it will one day be complete.

Question 9

How should I respond to the imperfections of others?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.1 Corinthians 13:4-5Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.Philippians 2:2-3Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.Colossians 3:13-15Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.1 Peter 3:8All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.Imperfections and sin are not always the same thing—sometimes, personalities simply clash. But whether we are dealing with a pet peeve or sin, it is love, forbearance, and humility that should guide our response in conflict.Matthew 10:16“Look, I [Jesus] am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”Matthew 16:11-12“Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they [the disciples] understood that he [Jesus] wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.Scripture warns us repeatedly to be discerning. Some issues are a matter of personal conscience and aren’t worth dividing over (see 1 Corinthians 8). Some doctrines are less significant, perhaps matters of denominational difference, but not related to foundational truths of Christian faith. Other doctrines are related to matters of orthodoxy or heresy and are critical to understanding our relationship with God. There is a difference between doctrinal disagreements and false teachings. No one has a perfect understanding of theology, and everyone makes mistakes, but if significant heresy begins to spread, it isn’t wise to let it slide.Matthew 7:1-5“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”Galatians 6:1-2If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Criticizing others while we are committing even greater sins is hypocrisy. Jesus sternly warns us against this double standard. Yet many Christians miss the conclusion of these verses, where after removing the log from our own eye, it would still be good to help our friend remove his speck. Sin is harmful, and if we love others, we should humbly encourage them to resist sin.Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”2 Thessalonians 3:15Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.Sometimes, confrontation or correction are necessary parts of loving others—both the person we are correcting, and the people their behavior affects. If the conflict cannot be resolved by individual conversation, bring in other believers to provide an objective perspective.