Why Didn't God Make Us Perfect?

If we were made perfect we would be like God.
Thus cancelling out Jesus as the perfect man.

God is perfect. And through Jesus and the Ten Commandments we see God's requirement to be perfect in His eyes (Matt 5:48). Though we will never be able to be perfect, we were wretched since we were born because of Adam's sin. It is by the salvation through Jesus that we acknowledge him as our saviour that we are seen perfect by God.

God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33 (NKJV)

It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18:32 (NKJV)

Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.
Psalm 119:138 (NLT)

For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
“This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he says,
“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.
Hebrews 10:14-18 (NLT)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Monthly Quotes - Have You No Faith in Your Prayers?

After God pulled me from the pit, I desired to move closer to Him. - John Piper

Are You Really A Christian?

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:16-26

If you've repented you would bear the fruits of the Spirit, the fruits of God:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. If not, then there is something you might want to think about. And that is repentance! Here are six steps to true repentance.

Biblical Repentance:

1. Feeling Godly sorrow (Agree with God)
- The first step of repentance is to recognize that you've committed a sin against God's commandments.
- Feel true sorrow for what you've done and for disobeying Heavenly Father.

2. Confess to God
- Pray to Heavenly Father and be honest with him.
- Tell him of your sin.

3. Ask for forgiveness
- Pray to God for his forgiveness
- Forgive others who have hurt you.
- Forgive yourself and know that God loves you, even though you've sinned.

4. Renounce your sin (Repent and forsake your sins)
- Make a promise to yourself and to God that you will never repeat the sin.
- Recommit yourself to obeying God's commandments.

5. Receive forgiveness
- The Lord will forgive you when you truly repent with a sincere heart.

6. Put your trust in Jesus Christ!


In a nutshell: Confess, Repent, and Trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Pure Grace

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?

11 No one, sir, she said.

Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.

John 8:1-11

Nothing is more humiliating than being caught in an act of disobedience! Whether it's a child with his hand in the cookie jar or an adult driving over the speed limit, we all know the sinking feeling of being caught. In John 8, a woman is caught in the act of adultery.

The Pharisees and scribes continued to press their point. They were not after this woman as much as they were after Jesus. They were saying this to "test" Jesus (v. 6). They wanted grounds for "accusing" Jesus. He is the one they are really after here.

This self-righteous, self-appointed group of Pharisees was acting as judge and jury and wanted to stone this woman; but don't mistake it, their ultimate goal was the death of Jesus. They were filled with self-righteous hatred toward Jesus. They kept stressing their point. "They persisted in asking Him." (v. 7a) They kept the pressure on Jesus. "Come on, tell us, teacher, what do You say? Will you kill the woman or kill the Law?"

As these religious leaders persisted in questioning him, Jesus stood up and invited any one among them who was sinless to throw the first stone. By this statement they could not possibly say Jesus rejected the law. Jesus specifically told them to throw the first stone. Go ahead, you are right, the Law says stone her. She is guilty. Now, you, who among you is sinless?

Please notice the last statement of Jesus: "Neither do I condemn you..." This is pure grace. The law required punishment and death of the woman caught in the act of adultery, but Jesus forgave her and gave her life. The woman did not make any excuses (v. 11). She was guilty. She knew it. She stood condemned. She didn't have to be convinced of that fact. She needed grace, but she did not deserve it. "The wages of sin is death." "The soul that sins will surely die." She couldn't earn it. She was a spiritual pauper in need of the riches of God's marvelous grace.

Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go your way; from now on sin no more" (v. 11). Let those words soak in. "Neither do I..." "Neither do I condemn you."

How could Jesus offer such a sinner "no condemnation?" He did it the same way He does for us. He knew He was going to the cross to die for her sins. "For while we were still helpless" sinners. That is the way all sinners are - helpless. A helpless sinner doesn't merit forgiveness. A helpless sinner doesn't earn forgiveness. "For while we were still helpless [sinners], at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6

Moreover, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (v. 8).

To every guilt-ridden sinner who puts his trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, the LORD God comes today and whispers in his ear "Neither do I condemn you." There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

But Jesus' statement of grace is immediately followed up by an admonition to "Go and sin no more." Theologians have made terms that describe what Jesus did here, and they are "justification" and "sanctification." Justification is: "Neither do I condemn you." Sanctification is: "Go and sin no more." And it is critical to see the order of Jesus' statements, for He did not say, "Go and sin no more, neither do I condemn you." Or, "Clean up your act and then I will forgive you." Jesus Christ here uses grace as the motive for pure living.

There is a place where adulterers can go to find pardon and forgiveness. It is in Jesus, who "justifies the wicked" (Romans 4:5). It is in Jesus, who was "pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities." And it is also in Jesus where we find grace to live differently, for it is the grace of God (not the law of God) that teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness (Titus 2:12). Pure grace; we need it; He has it.

In summary, a snare was set for this woman; she was in a strangle-knot with no way to break free. But Jesus cut the knot, by the knife of pure grace. He can do the same for us!

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
Isaiah 43:25

John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
John 1:15-17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Resources: http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/

Change

One thing I learned about change in our Christian walk is that people should be able to see it. Do people noticed that you are different? Do people notice that you've changed since you've become a follower of Christ? Is there a change in your life? Have you turned away from temptation or sin and towards the Cross?

If you've truly repented, people should see it. Ask your siblings, parents, friends, co-workers, if they've noticed a change in you. Especially ask your friends if they think if you're growing in holiness. Are you giving a good witness to your friends? Do people love having you around? Can they say, "Now that's a Christian!"? Have you really changed?

Society can learn something from you too. The more people see the change in you, the more witness you bring to the world of what a perfect .

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1

Remember what Jesus said about not producing fruit? Are you producing fruit? If not, break off those branches that aren't and cast them away, they will only spread like a cancer and cost you your life!

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
John 15:4

Communicating Through Our Life

InTouch Magazine, April 2009 Issue, Page 43

Read | John 13:34-35

Did you realize that everyone's life makes a statement? Perhaps you've never looked at your routine as anything more than merely travelling back and forth to work and accomplishing daily tasks. If so, you might wonder what message this could possibly broadcast to the people around you.
The truth is that every one of us communicates to others through our character, actions, and words. The believer's life should be an expression of glory to God while conveying to onlookers the vital importance of divine truth. Wherever we are, Jesus' light should shine brightly through us that He is evident in a dark world. And remember, the strength of our life message is directly related to the depth of our relationship with God.
Of course, this does not mean that our lives responses should demonstrate that our heavenly Father is dependable, faithful, forgiving, and present. We are His ambassadors, representing the Saviour to the people we encounter each day. Our lives are opportunities for those around us to see the Lord in action as we serve others—or as we reveal peacefulness and trust, even during difficult times.

Early Light: Coworkers, family, neighbours, and friends are all witnesses to our daily conduct and conversation. Every encounter we have is an opportunity to reflect Jesus into somebody's life. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and your walk so that those observing you can't help but be drawn towards His light.


A City on a Hill

InTouch Magazine, April 2009 Issue, Page 43

Read | Matthew 15:13-16

Reality television has become popular in recent years. On this type of show, the world is invited to watch as people go about their daily lives while participating in staged situations. While we may not run into as much drama or glamour, our lives are similar, in that people are observing what we do.
Jesus likened believers' lives to a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden (Matt. 5:14). When others watch us, they ought to see reflections of Christ—which means we must let the Holy Spirit express His life through us.
First, we need to realize that God's goal is for us to become more like Him. Second, we are to read the scripture daily, because we get to know the Father better through His Word, and then our lives will more clearly reflect Him to others. Third, we should review how the Lord has worked in the past. Noting His faithfulness increases our trust and enables us to help others in similar situations.
The fourth step may seem unsettling, but it is wise advice: Be prepared and willing to suffer. God uses difficult times to draw His children close to Himself. So if you are facing painful circumstances, know that He has allowed them for your growth, His glory, and encouragement to others. Recognizing this will help you surrender your will and desires to His plan. As you do, He will build a beautiful message into your life.

Early Light: Think about both your public life and your private life. Are both glorifying to the Lord? Allow God's light to penetrate any "darkness" in your thoughts, words, or deeds. Then others may be drawn to the Father by what they notice in you (v.16).

Sinner's Prayer

Lord, we see that we are wretched. We have broken your perfect Law. I pray that we will want to seek you Lord and know you Lord. We haven't been faithful to you Lord. And we want to accept that you sent your perfect and only begotten Son Jesus Christ to show us how to live for you. We accept that he died for our sins and rose three days later to prove that he was the Messiah. And we now see what wretches we've been and we renounce our sinful ways, ask for your forgiveness and your mercy, and turn to you Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.

Happy National Atheist's Day!

I know this is a cheeky theist joke. But I doubt any atheist's are reading my blog.