Monday, February 1, 2010

Bible in 90 Days - Day 32

Today's reading covered 2 Chronicles 8-23.

I found several more verses that pertain to my perfection question.

But the high places were not taken away out of Israel:
nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days

2 Chronicles 15:17.


For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars
2 Chronicles 16:9.


And one from an earlier reading -
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king
1 Chronicles 12:38.


I'm going to keep an eye out for other verses that pertain to this topic. I really do want to understand our goal regarding perfection and sin while living on this earth.

4 comments:

h2ovapor said...

All 5 of the verses you've quoted are using the same original word, shâlêm, which can mean complete, especially friendly, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect, quiet or whole. I also find it interesting that shâlêm seem so similar to several other words that mean peace (shâlôm), hold your peace, peace offering (shelem), make peace with (shâlam) etc.

I get the sense of oneness & being right with/reconciled to/on good terms with God. I think the completeness part of the definition plays out in the work of restoration to God's ideal, like what mankind was in the Garden of eden, reflecting the character of God. This is the work of a lifetime & the work of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22 shows the fruit of the Spirit is all the character traits of God). It is not our work, but His.

God does not forgive us & leave us to rot in our sins until he comes again to get us. He gives us power through the holy spirit to overcome the sins that are holding us back from living the life God wishes for us. Does he save the alcoholic & leave him to suffer alcoholism the rest of his days despite his desire to be rescued from it? Or do you see the evidence of a relationship with Jesus in changed lives of individuals? Are you the same person after meeting Jesus or do you become more like Him, the more time you spend with Him?

Do your friends rub off on you or have no influence at all?

I see these things as good news. We are not expected to be complete/perfect today, but:

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Phi 1:6 (ESV)

Cassandra said...

So do you believe that perfection = sinlessness or do you believe that perfection = a heart like God?

I don't believe those two are the same thing because God says that David was a man after His own heart. Yet the Scriptures list a few of David's sins, including one shortly before David died (numbering the Israelites).

I believe that all things are possible with God and that He can save us from our addictions and sins. But I'm not sure that means we'll be sinless while living on this world. I do believe that we can become like God in heart because there are examples in the Bible of people doing so and we're also commanded to be like God.

h2ovapor said...

I believe every time we confess our sins we are sinless, because we are covered by Christ's blood. I don't know if we have to confess every sin individually, especially if we can't remember it.

I believe if the Holy Spirit brings to mind a sin that we had forgotten, it's an opportunity to apologize to God the same way we should when we realize we've hurt a loved one. When we have a heart like God our desire to sin & hurt Jesus will become less & less, but when we do stumble we'll have a repentant heart. The call in the Bible is to repent & be baptized. Repenting is turning away from your sins. It doesn't mean you'll never sin, it means you change direction.

Do you believe David was not sorry for the sin he committed shortly before he died & never repented of it?

Cassandra said...

Yes, I do believe that David repented and was forgiven for numbering the Israelites.

"And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly" (2 Samuel 24:10).