7
If there is anything further to discuss on this, you're going to have to explain how someone can be perfect while the same's actions are not perfect. Jesus said a good tree produces good fruit, while the converse also is true.
"Perfection" is the state of every born again believer. We find this concept primarily taught in Hebrews, where the Writer draws continually the contrast between the Old Testament Saint (who was not made perfect because he had not received the promise/s) and the believer who has embraced Christ and gone on unto perfection.
How one can be perfect yet not have perfect actions is simply by looking at out positional sanctification as opposed to our progressive sanctification. A good example of this is Paul's teaching about justification before God, and James' (the Apostle, not the member) teaching about our justification before men, two entirely different teachings.
While it is true that only a good tree produces fruit, that does not mean that there is never the need for fertilizing, growth, and pruning.
As an example of the perfection taught in Hebrews (which is what I think James (the member, not the Apostle) is seen here:
Hebrews 7:11-12
James Version (KJV)
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Here "perfection" has in view the work which was performed by the Priest/s. That which can make perfect awaited a Priest Whose service brought to an end and achieved the result the service accomplished.
The point here would be that if the Levitical Priesthood could make complete through their service those they served, there would not have been a need for another Priest, and of course Christ is in view. The corollary being...Christ could make perfect, or, complete.
This is stated in specificity here:
Hebrews 10:10-14
King James Version (KJV)
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
This is the Writer's concluding statement on what he previously teaches:
Hebrews 10
King James Version (KJV)
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The context ceners on remission of sins, and what the Writer teaches us is that Levitical Service and the Priesthood of the Law could not bring to an end the purpose of their service,which was the forgiveness of sins.
But, Christ, Our Great High Priest...has done this.
We are set apart unto Christ once, and those set apart unto Christ are made perfect, or complete, in regards to sin...
...for ever.
This is the clearest statement of Eternal Security in Scripture in my view, as it shows that the remission of sins in Christ is an eternal act of God.
This was promised to Israel in the promise of the New Covenant...
Jeremiah 31:31-34
King James Version (KJV)
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Hebrews 8:7-12
King James Version (KJV)
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
...and made clear in perhaps one of the most misunderstood chapters in all of Scripture (Hebrews 6 taking a close second):
Hebrews 10:14-18
King James Version (KJV)
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
When we receive remission of sins through Christ, we are eternally forgiven. There never need be, like it was in the case of the Old Testament Saint...need for another sacrifice. This was the promise of God to Israel, and by extension, to the world as a whole (and we speak of Gentile inclusion).
And we see that same theme clarified in the next chapter:
Hebrews 11:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:39-40
King James Version (KJV)
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Though we made perfect in Christ, this does not mean that we are, when saved, "perfect" in the modern sense of the word in regards to practical living and sin. We are called babes in Christ for a good reason, because we all begin like babes in need of growth, understanding, and ability to put into practice that which we learn of God and His heart, and His will for our lives.
And I think that is what James has in mind, and if I am wrong, he can correct me.
God bless.
