What Does It Mean To Be Perfect?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 

for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

that the man of God may be perfect, 

throughly furnished unto all good works.

2Timothy 3:16-17

     Allow me to give the literal translation of the above verses: "Every scripture [is] God-inspired and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for discipline which [is] in righteousness; that complete may be of God man, so very work good fully fitted" )2Timothy 3:16-17; italics mine: the word [is] must be supplied for good translation into English). I did this for a reason: we do not have always an understanding or a particular understand of a word and often leads to misunderstanding of what was actually written. When we hear the word "doctrine" we think of what some denomination teaches rather than giving the word that the Greek actually says: teaching. This teaching or this word is not speaking about some man-made doctrine, or teaching, no it is speaking about the word of God who inspired what was written. Further is the word translated "perfect." This presents a real problem for such as the School of the Supernatural teaches that man can become perfect in this world, but this is not a true translation.The Greek word usually translated for perfect or complete is not the word used in this verse and this word "ἄρτιος" has a wonderful meaning: entirely suited, complete in accomplishment, ready, having all the parts that are necessary for completeness but also to the further adaptation and aptitude of these parts for their designed purpose. In fact there are two words that give a larger understanding: "ἵνα (this word means "in order" so then we are suited in order for a purpose). ἄρτιος"(suited for a purpose). Notice this: "furnished for all good works." 

     Christians view the Bible as that which contains or is an account of a revelation from God to man and is found no where else. Authentic Christians are those who have not lost sight that there is a "living God" and the fact of sin. Liberal Christianity has lost sight of those two great presuppositions. For a liberal Christian view we find that this is diametrically opposite, their liberal doctrine of God and their liberal doctrine of man. What is more damning is that this divergence from the inspired word of God is the message that contains their presuppositions and word the very message they espouse itself. 

     Is the Bible true? Well, the Bible contains this: confirmation and revelations that are given to us, also by things that God has made and by the conscience of man. The Bible tells us that God made all that is and that "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). Furthermore Scripture tells us that " All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Our conscience attests to these facts but in additions to these revelations or reaffirmations our blindness, that which we learn or perceive by our blindness is comparatively obscure in its fashion. Furthermore, the Bible contains an account of a revelation which is absolutely new. That new revelation is that man can come into a communion with the living God. 

     By means of the way for us to come into a communication with God is for us to become a useful tool in the hands of God. We are, that is if we hold to the Authentic Truth of the Bible, made complete and are the hands and feet, the mouth by which God reveals through us Himself and what He has done so that man can come to know and believe and put their faith in the One Whom He sent to be our Savior. 

      Question: Will you allow God to form you into a useful tool for all good works?

 But if the wicked will turn from all

     his sins that he hath committed,

and keep all My statutes, and do that

     which is lawful and right, he shall

surely live, he shall not die.

                 Ezekiel 18:21

You have the means: The Bible

Richard L. Crumb

Becoming Wise To That Which Is Good

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them

 which cause divisions and offenses contrary 

to the doctrine which ye have learned; 

and avoid them. For they that are such serve 

not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;

 and by good words and fair speeches deceive 

the hearts of the innocent. For our 

obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad

therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have 

you wise unto that which is good and simple 

concerning evil. And the God of peace shall 

bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace 

of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Romans 16:17-20 

     There is a problem here and that is about doctrine, teaching as the word means in Greek. What is this problem? It is what is the truth, the truthful doctrine, the truthful teaching? When, as it is done so often in Churches today is to speak more about psychological helps, that people can become a better person, a person who can be seen as a "good" person, that about what the Bible actually says about God, about Jesus Christ, about man, and about sin, and about salvation. What men and women, even children are hearing seems so plausible as to be true except they have no reference to know if it is true or not. This betrays the very reason why Paul wrote to watch out for those who bring a different gospel, another teaching (doctrine) and lead away the innocent, that is those that do not know the truth. If our Reason told us that something is true and good, that our relation is perceived by Reason the importance of Scripture is replaced by emotion and then a person feels as though they have reached acceptable worship. There is a loss of the consciousness of sin, personal sin, an understanding that man is fallen in nature and will be so until Jesus returns and a new body, one that is immutable, immortal is your body. 

     Liberal Churches, and I believe even in some Authentic Christian Churches that teach Authentic Christian Faith a loss occurs due to such as teaching that Christianity is a religion of the broken hearted. This does not mean that Christianity ends with a broken heart; we do not mean the the attitude and characteristic of a Christian is one that crying "Woe is me." This is not to be found in Scripture, although at times we feel broken hearted over something we did that we know is against the will of God, His commands and precepts. Here is Christianity: sin has been faced once for all time, destroyed; and by the grace of God, it is destroyed. This occurred when God entered into the virgin Mary, lived among men and died as an innocent man which paid the price of sin for man. No, even though you have come to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you still live in this old body with its old soul. It is that while we wait for the return of Jesus we have the ability to live and grow whereby sin has no control over your life. Oh, you may falter at times for your humanity remains, but if you are building upon your relationship with Jesus your humanity will desire less and less to sin and you have the help of the Holy Spirit that lives within you; that is, if you will allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. How is this done? You come to know the Gospel as it was taught from the beginning and you examine what others are teaching, their doctrinal positions against that foundation from the beginning of Christianity and even in the Old Testament. When you find that a person, no matter how intelligent, how eloquent a speaker, is teaching a doctrine that is not of the truth once delivered you mark that one, you leave that one behind and find a Church, a teacher that is teaching what was laid down from the beginning. 

     The errors of those early men and women in the Christian Church, those who were teaching a form of Christianity that was not of the truth and this from some who were living even when the Apostle John lived, are to be found alive and well in many of today's Churches. Those errors do not pass away, they simple are changed in form. Every person in a Church, those who call themselves Authentic Christians must do their part, it is not just the part for the Pastor, or elders, or deacons, no, it is everyone's part to proclaim the law of God by their lives, their words and by this those secrets hidden in the hearts of men shall be revealed. Yes by those things man come to produce a sense of the consciousness of sin and even come to an experience that they are sinners, but the experience itself comes from God. It is God alone who can produce a change in man. It is only by the Holy Spirit of God that man can come to change due to their consciousness of sin. Without the consciousness of sin, the Gospel will be nothing more than a tale, a story. There is no need for an attempt within ourselves to produce this sin consciousness outside of our knowledge of Scripture, what God has revealed. It is Scripture that reveals to man sin, to convict a man of sin. It is Scripture that reveals to man something more: it brings to man "light" the "truth" and the Gospel is not some fable story, rather it is seen as what it is: The truth of God. Liberal Christianity attempts to modify the message of the Gospel. Sin is hardly spoken about, oh, they do call for people to convert, but those people are converting to something other than a "real" consciousness of sin revealed to them be the Holy Spirit through the truth of Scripture. 

     Modern, liberal preachers and teachers are attempting to bring into the Church people and are not requiring them to relinquish their pride and are attempting for those people to avoid the conviction of sin. Think upon this: we have the Bible, we have the narrative about Jesus Christ, you that something that is "good" that which is "good" for you and your belief then must conform to the Authentic Christian Faith that it proclaims. Nothing else will do!

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is

     good; and what doth the LORD require

of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, 

     and to walk humbly with they God.

                             Micah 6:8

Obedience is required of you

Richard L. Crumb

Finding Vision And Purpose

Again the next day after John stood, 

and two of his disciples: and looking upon 

Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the 

Lamb of God! and the two disciples heard 

him speak, and they followed Jesus.

1John 1:35-37 

     Experiential Christians religious life and their character is more about the exceptional moments of life and less about what is done in the ordinary times, times when there is nothing exceptional, or tremendous, an exciting time. Attitude is a good measure of the worth of a person, his/her attitude to the ordinary things of life, those times when they are not in the spotlight. Experiential Christianity allows for people to have euphoric times not just times of quiet joy. Experiential Christians see Jesus and know something about Him, but they do not do as those two disciples of John did: they followed Jesus. Now, they could have said: "I am a follower of John the Baptist," and I only follow what John the Baptist taught; so why should I "change horses in the middle of the stream?" Experiential Christianity and liberal Christianity are the same, two words that explain this type of Christian. It is easy to follow "good" sounding words, words that tickle the ears. It is easy to get caught up in the moment by music, not just music, but music that is "foot stomping," or played loud and long, with musicians that dress wild, and like some drug infested worldly musician dancing wildly about the stage. Experiential liberal Christianity is easy to follow.

       Jesus was harsh in His words as to what it means to be a follower of Him. It is a painful business to be an Authentic Christian, to get in stride with God. Authentic Christianity is spiritual but not spiritual that is not warranted in Scripture. It is difficult to learn to walk with God to get into the harness with Him. The difficulty loses is difficulty when a person gets in stride with God for over time that changes a person from the inside/out, their character and the character of God manifests itself in a person' life. Man, if they are to Authentic Christians, to hold Authentic Christian Faith must not lose sight of God, their personal relationship with God. Authentic Christians allow the power of God to be manifested in their lives. Experiential or liberal Christians attempt to show the power of God through motions, actions that are similar to the world' culture, through such heresy as being "slain in the spirit," or speaking in gibberish rubbish. This type of Christian has designed God to be what they believe God to be rather than allow Scripture to reveal God to them. Liberal Christians, those looking for some supernatural experience work from their own standpoint, rather from the standpoint of God. 

      Yes, we must study, we must be rational, we must be reasoning, but more than all that: we must learn spiritual truth by doing what God has revealed as how to live and have His approval. Authentic Christians get into stride with God, not themselves. This will take time, how much? As much as it takes, but to shorten this time follow Jesus and do this every moment of every day: that is: live life but do it according to God's commands, not man's. Do you want purpose and vision? Well, it is yours if you build upon your relationship with Jesus and less on man made doctrines that cannot be aligned with the truth of Scripture. No matter how many "proof" Scriptures are used, does a doctrine align with Scripture alone? 

      You do not have to look for purpose or vision for God will give all that to you if you hold fast to Authentic Christian Faith.

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee

     is might; He will save, He will rejoice

over thee with joy; He will rest in His love,

     He will joy over thee with singing.

I will gather them that are sorrowful for the 

    solemn assembly, who are of Thee,

to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

                          Zephaniah 3:17-18

God repairs broken hearts and gives purpose

Richard L. Crumb