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The Burden of Perfection:
the NT trial of faith in present progressive salvation We have been made “strangers and pilgrims,” but we must presently “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). We have been made now “light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8) because Christ “delivered us from the power of darkness” (Col. 1:13), but now we must “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). We were “foolish” (Titus 3:3), but now Christ has become to us “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24), thus we must be “a wise man” (James 3:13) – “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). Notice how the “walk” is consistent with the Spiritual and lawful salvation that has already been accomplished. We are completed in this present progressive work by maintaining saving faith - this is perfection. “Walk before Me” in these manners, God commands in the NT, and in our Covenant, God says “be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1).
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- Genesis 22:12, “because thou hast obeyed My voice” (justification by works) --> Hebrews 6:11-20 & James 2:14-26, Hebrews 11: 17-19.
When we stay away from the flesh, darkness, death, and the world, we are strangers and pilgrims who desire to continue to be strangers and pilgrims. Unregretful, unrepentant of the decision we have made to forsake all to follow Him against the potential lusts which can come from a house, properties of land, family, and kindred. This was Abraham’s gospel and ours, but look at Abraham’s perfect walk in perseverance.
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“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. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16).
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Abraham became a stranger, walked as a stranger, and continued to be a stranger; so must we continue to be, in life, light, righteousness, wisdom, and holiness, which is our alien strangeness in Christ; otherwise Christ will say, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity” (Lk. 13:27). But if Abraham was “mindful of that country from whence” he “came out,” then he would have “had opportunity to” return. But since he was steadfast in faith and repentance, according to the gospel call, he did steadfastly “desire a better country, that is, an heavenly!” So Abraham is the example of perseverance for us to follow in. The capstone of His perseverance is referenced directly after these verses in the Hall of Faith:
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“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received Him [Jesus] in a figure” (Heb. 11:17-19).
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This is the capstone of the trial of his faith, as it says, “when he was tried.” This mark of Abraham is used as the mark of his persevering faith. This is applied and taught to the NT Church in two other places, Hebrews 6:11-20 and James 2:14-26. Salvation begun was justification by faith (Rom. 4), salvation continued is the trial of faith wherein we continue to receive Jesus (like as Abraham “in a figure”), and maintaining this walk of perfection is when our works do demonstrate what is worthy of the virtue already given in the lawful/spiritual salvation (justification by works). "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:21-26).
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:21-26).