Oneness Refuted
We who are mere men, finite, cannot possibly understand the magnitude of the infinite God who made us and all things (Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet we must believe what He did tell us about Himself. In fact, some may be surprised to know that the LORD requires that we do such, the we believe what He said about Himself.
“Godhead” appears 3 times in God’s Word.
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” Acts 17:29
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9
“The Father and the Son”
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father ANDDDDD the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23
Message Received:
“The word ‘trinity’ or ‘triune’ is never found in the Bible.”
Reply:
The term/word “oneness” appears no where in Scripture. Did the wolves in your oneness cult whose message you are regurgitating forget to notice that? The concept of the Triune nature of the “Godhead” is found throughout Scripture.
We are indwelled and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
Some will list, will cite 3 names here and yet say they’re all one name. One man said to me: “the name of Jesus Christ is the name of the Father AND OF THE Son AND of the Holy Ghost.” Yet in the Bible verse above John says there are three, not one, who bear record in Heaven and lists Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7).
Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Members of the one “Godhead” – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.
Here’s an example:
“my Father hath taught me” John 8:28
Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
Why would there be, why would there exist the name of the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost throughout Holy Writ if they were all one Person? The fact that the Bible uses the word “Godhead” speaks of plurality.
How many divine Members of the Godhead are named here? – “For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (in unison).” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
Message Received:
“There is One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism. The Name of The Lord is Jesus. The Faith once delivered to the original Church brought forth submission to God and caused people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They were filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance. There was no teaching during those days of a trinity of god in three persons. Nobody had ever heard of such a thing. All the people in the original Church were Jesus Name One God Non Trinity Apostolic believers filled with the Holy Ghost. The Church is still the same today. We serve the same God, and all the truth of the original Church is in your Bible. There is no excuse for anybody to teach or believe in a three person god. To believe in a god consisting of three persons is to forsake the truth and worship a false idea. There has never been a trinity of gods in three persons co-equal, or co-anything. Trinity is a lie. God is a Spirit. The Spirit of God is in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is in the Spirit. The invisible things of God can be clearly seen including his power and godhead as we experience the power and majesty of the mighty God in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is the everlasting Father and the prince of peace. There is no way that God would ever approve of the teaching of a three person god. Get out of that mess and be converted to the only truth that can set people free. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, deny the trinity, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Stick with this truth until you die, and then you will truly be able to say that you have been saved by the blood of the lamb.”
Reply:
We are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math.
Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30
When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.
Here’s an example:
“my Father hath taught me.” John 8:28
Why would one Member of the Godhead speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
Let’s look to Luke 3:21-22 and Genesis 1:26.
“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the Father), which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
So Jesus is being water baptized on earth and the Holy Ghost is descending upon Him while the Father speaks from Heaven. Just like we read in 1 John 5:7 – “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.”
“And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26
An egg – 1 egg yet 3 parts to that egg as there are 3 divine Persons that make up the “Godhead.”
Christ stated: “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me (Jesus).” John 8:16
More death nails to the oneness falsehood …
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name (Jesus), he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) have said unto you.” John 14:26
“How God (the Father) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
John 17 is the written record of Jesus praying to the Father for His people:
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me (Christ), and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21
Note here that Jesus is praying to the Father for all of His people to be “one.” Could Jesus be trying to make you and I and the millions of Christians who dwell on the earth today and in centuries past “one” person? OR, what Jesus speaking of being one in unity? Obviously Jesus isn’t trying to make us into one person. Read these words of Christ again. Why then do we seek to limit and make the Godhead to be one Person/Member? 1 John 5:7 says “these THREE are one” cannot mean one person but rather must mean one in nature and unison. When speaking of marriage/holy matrimony, Jesus says:
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain (TWO) shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain (TWO), but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus here says that when “a man” and “his wife” (two separate individuals) are “joined together” they are “one.” So, they are not just one person but rather two people joined together as/into one family unit – “man” and “wife.”
Also, ask this: How could they be put asunder (divided) if they were only one numerically/one person?
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
Now, are a man and a woman who are married one person or are they “one flesh”? They are two people but one in unity as a family.
The oneness of God is clearly not that there is only one Member of the “Godhead.” Otherwise why would the Bible even use the term “Godhead”? (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9)
Look up the word “Godhead” in the KJB.
The Holy Spirit and the Word are the teachers (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13). – Simply go by what God’s Word tells us and “Lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pray for understanding.
Whenever someone asks me about the Triune nature of God, I quote 1 John 5:7. Who can explain who HE is better than the very One we are seeking to understand? Also, trying to explain some things that are far too high for finite humans to understand is a futile endeavor.
Colossians 2 speaks of those who are “intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Col. 2:18)
We should never go beyond what the LORD said of Himself in His Word or attempt to deny such. If people demand an answer beyond that, invite them to delve into God’s Word for themselves (which is what we are to do anyway).
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Only God Himself can reveal Himself in an individual’s heart and He only does that when an individual bows down in humility, repentance, and faith, falling upon the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Some are being led astray by oneness cult leaders due to their own refusal to get honest with God and His Holy Word (Luke 8:15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16). Beware of the perversions of oneness cults and their Scripture-twisting tactics.
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus was also full of the Holy Ghost (Lk. 3:21-22; Jn. 3:34; Acts 10:38). This speaks for itself. In Jesus dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2).
As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless you are allowing your mind to be conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).
According to Holy Writ, we are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
“These THREE are ONE” could not possibly mean that there is only one member of the Godhead. No, instead is simply tells us that there are “THREE” members and they are one in substance and unity, etc. How can “THREE” be one numerically?
Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math. Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons. Here’s an example: “my Father hath taught me.“ (John 8:28) Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless your mind is being conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).
It should be more than obvious that the new versions of the Bible are corrupted. They are clearly the work of the arch enemy of God and mankind. Satan is behind them and he is the one who wanted the clearest verse in the Bible conveying the triune nature of God to be completely neutered. In fact, it might as well be removed. This is clearly an attack on the divine nature of the Almighty, the triune Godhead. This is more proof that Satan is behind the oneness doctrine.
1 John 5:7 Comparison
KJB (King James Bible):
“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
NIV (New International Version):
“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7
NASB (New American Standard Bible):
“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7
More on Bible Versions here.
Feedback / Dialogue:
Jason Frost writes:
“Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus doesn’t change and yet modalism says He does. That Jesus is a shapeshifter speaking in the 3rd person which is not only unbiblical but illogical. Take time to consider these questions and scripture please. I’m not here to attack but in love and concern. Proverbs 27:5-6.
- Hebrews 1:5 tells us that Jesus was begotten by His Father. Did He beget Himself?
- In Matthew 22:44, the Father said Jesus would sit at His right hand until His enemies were made His footstool. Was Jesus to sit at His own right hand?
- In Matthew 24:36, when Jesus told His disciples that no one knows the day or hour of His return but the Father only, did He really know but made up an excuse to not tell them?
- In John 14:28, Jesus said His Father was greater than He was. Does this mean He was greater than Himself?
- In John 17:1, Jesus prayed to His Father. Was He praying to Himself?
- In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Had He forsaken Himself?
- In John 20:17, Jesus said He would ascend to the Father after His resurrection. Did He ascend to Himself?
These and many other biblical passages demonstrate to a rational Bible reader that the modalism teaching is not only unbiblical, but also utterly illogical! Dangerous doctrine of modalism.
Phil Snow notes:
“So then, If we are Created in God’s Image, which we are. And ‘We’ are Three in One, we being spirits, who have a Soul i.e. mind, emotions etc. and we live in a Body.
Then why is it so hard to see that God, who’s image we are created In, is Three in one????The Three Unique and Distinct persons the Father, The Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit Are the One True God. They work in unity and purpose just like our body does when we are in perfect health and physical, mental and spiritual condition. The teaching of the Three in one God is everywhere in the Bible, from Genesis “Let US create man in OUR image.” Why is this so hard to see????
Use the testimony of All of Scripture, like the verses in the article above, just take time to think about it, and ask the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher, if there is something else to it or anything you just might have missed.”
Message Received:
The early church new nothing of the triune nature of God.
Reply:
Really? Jesus’ apostle John obviously understood “the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST” and that “these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 Are the Scriptures not the final authority of God? Are the Holy Scriptures, the record of Christ and His holy apostles not the early church?
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Colossians Narrated [podcast]
Colossians Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians Chapter 2
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians Chapter 3
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Colossians Chapter 4
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 and Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
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Articles
Sinlessly Perfect? I Doubt it [podcast]
Yes the LORD commands His people to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Yet we should ask whether or not His desire is for His people to tout to others that they are “sinlessly perfect” or does His Word rather reveal that His people are to be dependent upon Him through the humility of Christ and crucified life He ordained us to walk in? Did the apostles walk around telling people they were sinlessly perfect? No. Didn’t Paul confess his own utter poverty of spirit outside of the saving, present grace of Christ? Yes. (Romans 7:18, 24, etc.) Are there biblical warnings about claiming that one is sinlessly perfect? Yes. (Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9)
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Saints, would it be accurate to observe that we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin? (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3) We must pray and study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20
Solomon said:
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
Speaking of king David’s imperfections, even nearing the end of his life on earth, one commentator writes:
“Surely there can be little ground for the doctrine of perfectionism, otherwise David, whose religion was so earnest and so deep, would have been nearer it now than this chapter shows that he was.” Expositor’s Bible
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
I am not a good person, neither are you – “There is none righteous, no, not one“ (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a new, deeper work in us! (Romans 7:18, 24) The Cross!
God is able to establish our hearts in His grace and to multiply His grace to us (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:18)
ALL of our deeds are not perfect (1 John 1:8-10). “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The truly righteous remain humble, teachable, and repentant. Note verse 21 saints:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
Saved by Divine Grace and Yet Now Made Perfect by Your Flesh?
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
The Galatian believers had begun their walk with Christ by responding to the conviction of the Spirit, repenting, putting their faith in Christ, and being regenerated. Yet, now they were allowing false teachers to seduce them back under the law, law-keeping for righteousness – to attempt to please God by their own self-will and performance.
Jesus’ disciples must live a set apart life. Living sinless? Well, it can be done: Here’s the key – “In him (Jesus) is no sin. He that abideth in him sinneth not” (1 John 3:5-6). We whom Jesus has saved must “cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Yet, the only way to be sinless is in presently abiding in Him and that begins with the essential of announcing our own poverty in self which is being poor/desperately dependent on Him in spirit (Matthew 5:3, 6). Yet some insist that they are perfect by their own will, ability, and doing. This is the exact error of the Galatians which caused them to fall from saving grace (Galatians 5:4). They left Christ for something else – law keeping. Leaving Christ, departing from faith, and casting off trusting fully in HIS saving grace, is deadly. Realizing there is “NO good thing” in us except Christ, is essential to abiding saved in Him (Romans 7:18, 24; John 15:1-6). Galatians 3:3 says it all – “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). The great apostle of Jesus was desperate for the LORD, ever seeking His holy face and dreadfully not wanting “to be found having mine own righteousness which is of the law” (Philippians 3:9-10).
“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
Heart purity and a sinless life emanate only from intimate union and abiding with a holy God. This occurs as we consent to the cross and not by human effort alone. Jesus raises up those who are truly bowed down – crucified with Christ (Psalms 145:14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). One cannot possibly “stop sinning” until they come to Jesus and He saves them, making them new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Only then can the regenerated disciple “put off the old man” and “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9-10). There MUST be something to “put off” …. that inherent sinful nature, otherwise no such language would be in Scripture (Colossians 3).
Beware of the sinless perfectionists who speak of overcoming sin outside of the daily cross and the saving, enabling grace of God. It’s only possible by God’s enabling grace in and through a true abiding relationship.
If we claim we are sufficient in and of ourselves and because of our own “natural ability” to do right, and can be perfect (which God requires) without Christ and our total trust IN HIM, we are apostate. Memorize Romans 4:4-5.
We cannot be “made perfect BY the flesh” or by means of our own self-will and effort alone. If that were possible WHY then did Jesus come? We are only perfect in the sense of Christ’s perfection AS we abide in Him (John 15:1-6). As we do, we will “walk in the light, as he is in the light … and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Here’s the whole verse:
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Yes, we are “new creatures” in Christ and must humble ourselves before Him, put off the old man, put on the new man, and walk in the Spirit with Him. Yet, the victory Christ has wrought and ordained for us to walk in daily all begins with acknowledging instead of denying that there is something to deny and die to and “put off” (Colossians3:5; 2 Corinthians5:17-18). Denying that we have inclination toward sin is not the answer. Crucifying the deeds of the body by the power of the Holy Spirit is the answer (Romans 8:12-14). Many are getting hoodwinked by this self-righteous “I can do it with my own ‘natural ability’” spirit. This is a Christ-denying devil-exalting heresy, doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Many who are not grounded in the grace and Word of Christ are adopting this error of Pelagianism which fosters self righteousness. They are aggressively teaching this sinless perfectionism (in the flesh) error to others. These people seem to have one common denominator – they have studied the teachings of Charles Finney or Mike Desario. Beware!
Many of those who preach sin without saving, rescuing, enabling, overcoming divine grace are perhaps still trapped in their own sins. They have no answer for others and therefore we should wonder if they have the LORD’s answer for and in their own lives. If they did, would they not be full of His great joy and sharing with others how to be delivered? Why are they content with condemning others in sin? Is God willing that ANY should perish? See 2 Peter 3:9.
Never forget to make a decision to be deepened in the essential truth that it’s “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
WHEN we realize that God is “Holy, holy, holy,” we will no longer wrongly condemn others if they sin, just because the flavor of their sin differs from that sin which we’ve committed, knowing that the sin we committed was no less evil in the eyes of He alone who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense
It’s only by God’s grace that we are found and saved by Him and kept and enabled to please Him which includes participating in holiness, separated unto the LORD, as He is holy (Hebrews 12:14-15; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8, etc.).
Titus 2 tells us that we are only saved by divine grace and only kept to the end by His enabling grace.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
Deliverance from sin/sinning is only possible through faith, loving, worshiping, and obeying our LORD, that is, moment-by-moment abiding in Christ, the crucified life, being raised up by His Spirit (Romans 6; 8:13-14, etc.).
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:3-6
Perfection is the perfect forgiveness and justification of the LORD which God brings about by His Spirit and our faith which always brings our adherence to the daily cross (Philippians 2:12-13). It’s divine perfection worked out in the abiding disciple as he walks in the Spirit abiding in Christ (Galatians 5:16, 25, etc.).
True OR Feigned Holiness? | Saving, Enabling Grace | Have We Ourselves Become Pharisees? | The Spirit of Holiness |
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