Today's reading covered 1 Chronicles 24 through 2 Chronicles 7.
One of my most pressing questions is the Biblical definition of "perfect." Most Adventist churches I've visited have preached or taught that perfection means that we have to learn not to sin while still living on earth. When Christ comes, we must be perfect. This attitude has always scared me because I'm far from perfect. I sin on a daily basis, even though I try to act like Christ. The idea of me obtaining perfection before I die or before Christ returns (whichever happens first) is very discouraging.
I've only met several people who have tried to show that Biblical perfection is more about having a heart for God rather than a life without sin. This teaching makes more sense to me, but I want to know what the Bible teaches.
Several of the verses in today's reading talk about a "perfect heart."
1 Chronicles 28:9
1 Chronicles 29:9
I like the idea of a perfect heart. David prayed for a perfect heart when he asked that God "create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). I want a clean heart, a perfect heart, and a right spirit.
Lord, help me to be like You!
5 comments:
Cassandra,
I want to thank you from my heart for the support and encouragement you have given me these past four weeks by visiting my blog. It makes a great difference to me and really helps me along.
My understanding of what the Bible teaches on perfection in humans is this...
When we ask God to forgive us our sins and really repent, He in turn, punished Jesus on the cross those many years ago for our sins and placed Jesus righteousness onto us. There was a swap, my sins on Jesus and His righteousness on me. We are forgiven for past sins, present sins and future sins so when God looks at us He sees sinless people.
We still sin, but God has decided not to remember it against us.
We are clean in Hie eyes!
Hope you don't mind my saying this. I haven't a clue about any of your particular faith\religion and hope I haven't offended you? If I did it is in ignorance so please forgive me:0)
Ps...
I think it is great you are reading the Bible!
Ruth, I fully enjoy reading your blog and I'm glad that I could be an encouragement!
Thanks for your comment about perfection. I think you are right about what perfection means. I'm going to keep searching to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that you are correct!
I remember struggling with the idea of perfection as a child even. I was scared that there was a sin somewhere in my life I hadn't confessed or couldn't remember. As an adult and my realization of my sins was a more mature realization it became even harder. I look forward to reading the things you find.
I do understand now that the Lord sees my heart and my true repentence of sin. I've always loved reading about King David because he had such "big" sins in his life yet God called him a man after His own heart. I take courage from that!
Hello. And Bye.
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