Christian Perfection - A response to Oswald Chambers

A friend shared this devotional on Facebook today. I read it and immediately felt the Spirit urging me that this is in error. Like most teachings there is truth but it must be divided from the error.

https://utmost.org/christian-perfection/

After reading this do you sense something is wrong or does the elegant arrangement of words just ring in your ears without cause for question or alarm? I encourage you to take some time to think critically about what is said and reflect on what the whole Bible says. After all, only one Scripture is quoted in his devotional, and half a verse at that.

So now for my thoughts. Many Scriptures came to mind that prove the error and I intend to show how there are many exhortations in the Bible telling us God wants us to be perfect by seeking Him with all we are (this latter part of the point is at least made well in this blog but a half truth is no truth at all). Let us press on to prove or disprove every sentiment.

Oswald says, "If you accept this concept of personal holiness, your life’s determined purpose will not be for God, but for what you call the evidence of God in your life."

Well, let's see what the Bible says about holiness, our call to perfection, our fruits and where personal initiative comes in. Of course I couldn't possibly fit every verse about these subject in one blog, so it is your duty to seek out more if the Spirit of truth leads you to.

Therefore you shall be perfect (*ie; completely matured, consummated unto the end result*), just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

"Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2

"You shall be blameless before the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 18:13

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us ***cleanse ourselves*** from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
(See here that there is effort on our part. It is not all on God.)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

...so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world... Philippians 2:15

"They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked generation." Deuteronomy 32:5

Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. Luke 1:5-6

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. Nevertheless, **we must live up to what we have already attained**. Philippians 3:12-15

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Of course we have forgiveness of our sins but remember:

Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. James 4:17

...whatever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23

If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27

If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through their knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and turned away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

Also, I disagree that we should not be caught up with looking for evidence of God in our lives. There is much emphasis placed on the fruits we bear and the rewards that they earn us if they are judged righteous. Make no mistake, we will all be judged according to what we do. Of course what we do must be the fruit of the Spirit and in this we *know* Him (have intimacy with).

So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27

And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, For You recompense a man according to his work. Psalm 62:12
(recompense is the meaning of the word Jerusalem - to recompense and bring to a place of peace - Revelation says the unrighteous will be repaid double for their iniquities before being brought to holiness - this is the refiner's fire)

***If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?*** Proverbs 24:12
(Israel didn't know they were doing wrong! Neither does the church.)

The LORD of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; Jeremiah 32:19

Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out--those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 5:29-30

But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:14

That last verse contains some very deep, revealing truths about God's plans, which He has prophesied in Scriptures by holy men who were inspired by the Spirit.

"God’s purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase..." 

Is this true? God's trophy mantle is not our trophy mantle. He clearly has a "trophy mantle" though, as seen with all the jewels and crowns that adorn His bride in Revelation. She is on display showing God's righteousness. Even Lucifer was covered with jewels and he was at one time the anointed cherub that covers. He doesn't have that any more because he is fallen. That is why in Revelation it says, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen!" and "Come out of her my people..." Love covers a multitude of sins but it does not mean we should be lazy in seeking out and confronting sin in our lives and even others to a degree.  I understand what Oswald means by not being Pharisaic in that we put our righteousness on our own trophy mantle because then, "surely you have our reward." However let us be diligent in recognizing our need to come to Him, to cry out to Him, to seek Him WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND STRENGTH. Let us not be lazy with the words He has spoken Himself and through His prophets and saints. Father, grant us a greater measure of faith and desire for wisdom and understanding that can only come from You. This I petition You for these things and it is in You I hope. Amen.