Sermon 76: On Perfection

Hebrews 6:1

• The call to go on to perfection in Christian life.
• Importance emphasized by the Apostle: "This we will do, if God permit."
• Warning against falling away and the difficulty of repentance if one does fall.

Understanding Perfection

1. What Perfection is Not

   • Not angelic perfection: Angels have unimpaired faculties.
   • Not edenic perfection: Adam pre-fall, clear understanding and right judgment.
   • Man cannot attain angelic or edenic perfection due to human nature.

2. Christian Perfection

   • Love for God with all heart, soul, and mind.
   • Loving neighbors as oneself; interconnected with love for God.
   • Perfection is the same as having the mind of Christ.
   • Attributes of Christian Perfection:
     • Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, temperance.
   • Perfection involves being renewed in the image of God (righteousness and holiness).
   • Universal holiness: Inward and outward righteousness.
   • Full sanctification: Spirit, soul, and body preserved blameless.

Objections to Perfection

1. No Promise of Perfection

   • Argument: Scripture promises enable expectations of Christian perfection.
   • Commands imply promises of enablement (e.g., loving God fully).

2. Impossibility and Nature of Sin

   • Argument of impossibility due to a sinful body countered.
   • Sin defined as a voluntary transgression of known law.
   • Body cannot be sinful; sin resides in the spirit.

3. Experience and Witness

   • Few true witnesses of perfection due to hardness of heart.
   • Some may falsely claim perfection.
   • Perfection seen as temporary by some, but argued as a lasting gift from God.

Expostulating with Opposers

• Questioning the rationale behind opposing Christian perfection.
• Highlights the desirability of:
  • Loving God fully.
  • Having the mind of Christ.
  • Bearing the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Being renewed in God's image.
  • Universal holiness and self-dedication to God.
• Encourages reflection on why one would oppose salvation from sin.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes hope and patience in seeking Christian perfection.
• Encourages mutual bearing and understanding amongst believers and opposers.