Righteousness By Faith and the 1888 General Conference
Perfection
Ok, so yes we probably all agree that it isn't good to sin. We all know that God hates sin and it is wrong. So yes this is all true,
you may be thinking, and you may feel that all of this so far doesn't change anything significantly for you. Perhaps, but we must go further than the surface.
God has called us to live perfect lives. God has called us to live free from every form of sin. This is not something for the future only, but for now. If we do not aim to have Christ work perfection through us then we are not followers of God.
You may want to shout out, It's impossible for someone to be perfect,
but I ask you, did God free us halfway from sin? Did He give us victory only over certain sins, but accepted the fact that there are some sins He has no power to free us from? Jesus says if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36. If you are free from sin, then you are free from all sin! If God has set you free, there is no excuse. There is no reason to think that whatever problem you have is too much to overcome. If God says you are free, who are you to call Him a liar? It should be our prayer to let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.
Ps. 119:80. We are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Rom 13:14. We should be able to say "I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word.
Ps. 119:101. Make no mistake. God's standard for us is perfection. but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'
I Peter 1:15-16. Jesus admonishes us, Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matt. 5:48.
Indeed, those who are living in the last days MUST be perfect, or they will not be able to resist the devil. God declares that His remnant will do no unrighteousness. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness
Zeph. 3:13. And just in case you are unsure what do no unrighteousness
actually means, God makes it clear, The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness.
Zeph. 3:5. Just as God does no unrighteousness, so His remnant in the last days will do no unrighteousness. John gives us his testimony on this, Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:17. Just as God is in heaven, so are we to be here in this world. All who have the hope of being saved purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:3.
Many people feel that God doesn't require us to be perfect in character completely. These people do well in recognizing that there is no power in us to overcome all sin, but they forget that God has this power, and if we are led by the Spirit by faith, we will be free. Others feel that we should just strive to do the best we can, and God will not hold it against us where we fall short. The problem with this is that by feeling this way we are denying God's power to free us completely from sin. The ones who feel this way in the last days will continue to live in sin, "having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Tim. 3:5.
They assert the Lord does not expect so high a standard, and will be satisfied with a mere desire to do right. But the Lord cannot change His standard. To do so would be to change Himself. Rather, He supplies grace for the acquirement of every virtue and the correction of every defect. He asks of every Christian that full advantage be taken of these provisions. He demands no less than perfection. Unless this is attained, the soul will be found without the seal of God when probation closes.Bible Commentary Volume 4 Page 607
You may be thinking, Even if I don't do right all the time, God still knows that in my heart I want to do right.
While it is true that God looks at our hearts and He knows our intentions, do not be mistaken, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:17. Ellen White clears away any doubts:
The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning, The tempter's agency is not to be accounted for an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christ-like life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life. Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren.Desire of Ages 319
To us living in the last days, God crys out for all to hear, Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it, Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
Isaiah 56:1-2. Let us not shortchange God's power. Just as Jesus used His power to create the world, He uses His power to create a new heart in us and redeems us to keep His law. The same Word that says Let there be light
says go and sin no more
John 8:11.
