That's an interesting contradiction.
Should we be perfect, or not?
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Its not a contradiction though, think about it, God called Job perfect here
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? |
Do a study on this and how perfect is used in many places, its a real eye opener, Job just has an eye for details
Job says if HE said that he (himself) was perfect that would actually prove him perverse
Job 9:20
if I say,
I am perfect,
it shall also prove me perverse.
Even the LORD called him perfect
The perfect man can better be perceived by the way James sets him forth here
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man
offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man,
and able also to bridle the whole body.
If a man has power to not offend in word (able to bridleth his tongue) this man would also have power in himself to bridle the entire body (so that is real power as far as I am concerned). James says this man with this ability is a perfect man. Such a one would never say "I am perfect" as Job said (who was perfect as the LORD called him so). Anyone who would say this would actually prove themselves perverse. But we are given to know this to be able to reccognize this). Thats also what we are called to grow up unto Ephes 4:13 and for what the scriptures are for when it comes to empowering the man of God to be perfect also 2 Ti 3:17 to be as our master Luke 6:40 and called to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect Mat 5:48
And even though Job acknowledges what he does in Job 9:20 the following verse he says,
Job 9:21
Though I were perfect,
yet would I not know my soul:
I would despise my life.
Paul speaks this way as well, "not as though"
Phil 3:12
Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
But now go down a few verses, " Let us therefore, as many as be perfect"
Phil 3:15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be
thus minded: and
if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,
God shall reveal even this unto you.
That final line, " if in any thing
ye be otherwise minded (concerning what he is talking about and how to mind yourselves in this) that
God shall reveal even this unto you.
Just to touch upon this, its really a great study.
So whenever you get those challenges, " What? Do you think you are perfect?? huh?? huh??"
You could say, IF I were I sure couldnt say that I was because that would certainly blow my cover
