Does God require us to follow Jesus perfectly?
I often wonder if I'm following Christ the correct way or if I'm just making myself frustrated. I know Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. But I have a hard time following in everything that Christ has said. I know many other believers have struggles also but will God hold our struggles against us if we fail to follow Christ's example? I just hate feeling like I let Jesus and God down because I keep failing to meet the commands of Jesus.
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Asked October 03 2013
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Jason Burrell
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Andy Mangus
Does God require us to follow Jesus perfectly? No, for sure not! That is why God sent His Holy Spirit to be in us and to dwell in our hearts so that He can and will "guide us into all truth" to correct us, to "keep us on His narrow path of righteousness". Jesus is "our intercessor to The Father" but His Holy Spirit is to be our guide"; that is, if we let Him and don't negatively step in and "grieve the Holy Spirit" by speaking or thinking unholy thoughts or taking unholy actions. We are to allow God to be in control through His Holy Spirit! Child of God, my brothers and sisters in Christ, be ever thankful that we each have the Holy Spirit residing in each of us, for each and every day "the devil roams about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour." ~~Andy~~
D W
Supporter
Salvation is by grace through faith, not works. Our works (ministering to others in various capacities) follow the salvation experience. Our perfection is not found in our works; it is found in Him. He is perfect. We are inhabited by the very Holy Spirit of God who sustains us and teaches us in all things. As you identify those frustrations, realize that they come because you are not getting out of the way so that He can direct your path. In order to listen to God 24/7 you must yield to Him. Yield to Him, prayerfully, each morning. Yield to Him as you make decisions throughout your day ... in doing your job, in dealing with others in every circumstance and situation. Honor Him in your conversations. We are all imperfect in our sinful nature. We lack perfection as we go about our day. But you have been equipped with a Spiritual Nature, equipped to defy the nagging and the attractions offered by sin. At each incident, call upon Him. Confess "Lord, I know that you are there. I'm getting out of the way. You are in charge." He is not going to hold your struggles against you. He is your way out of those. Be blessed as you honor Him daily. Spend some time each day reading the letters of Paul, the Apostle.
D. M.
“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place when he gave his heart to God. He may not see the steps that brought him to Christ. But this does not prove that he is not a child of God. Christ said to Nicodemus, “The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8. We cannot see the wind, but we can see what it does. We cannot see the Spirit of God as He works on the heart, but His power brings us new life. That power creates a new person in the image of God. Although we cannot see or hear the working of the Spirit, we can see what He has done. If our hearts have been changed by the Spirit of God, our lives will show the change. We cannot change our hearts or make our characters like God’s. We must not trust in our own strength or believe that our good deeds will save us. But our lives will show whether we have the grace of God in our hearts. It will change our characters, our habits, and the way we live. Other people will see the difference between what we used to be and what we now are. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of a pure Christian life for in him was found the perfect sacrifice and price for our sins. Step by step should we allow God to work his greatness in us, faith to faith will God's righteousness be revealed to us through faith and the grace of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:17 Sanctification is a process. Let nothing else be the standard, for Jesus gave us a promise that we can do all things through his strength.He walked the walk. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12
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