Rosangela, we might be viewing character perfection from different angles. I don't believe we will ever reach a point in this lifetime or in heaven or in the new earth where we cannot become more perfect. This “work of progression will not cease, but will continue throughout eternity.” (HP 186) Nor do I believe we are guilty of sinning simply because we possess defects, weaknesses, and imperfections. True, we become guilty of sinning if we indulge them instead of keeping them under subjection, but we are not guilty of sinning simply because we possess them.

What do you think Paul meant when he said he had not yet attained unto perfection? Do you think he meant he was guilty of sinning?

Are you saying we cannot or should not feel wonderful about the good fruit we bear while abiding in Jesus? I'm not talking about going around bragging about it. I'm simply asking if it's ever okay to feel warm and fuzzy about it, thankful to Jesus about it?

Consider the following:

Paul began his letter with the salutation: "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day." {AA 499.2}

I thank God for the assurance of His love, and that I have daily His leading and guidance. {1SM 56.1}

"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me" (verses 22, 23). Every time I read this statement, it seems almost too good to be true. But I receive it and believe it, and I thank God for His full and abundant promises, given on condition that we meet the standard of the righteousness of Christ. {TDG 120.3}

I thank God for my life. . . . I have a faith that looks over into the future, and sees the tree of life. Upon it grows precious fruits, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No more broken hearts, no more sadness, no more sins, no more sorrow, no more suffering, in that kingdom of glory. {SD 365.5}

I thank God that we must renounce the love of the world, and pride of heart, and everything which tends to idolatry, in order to be followers of the Man of Calvary. Those who obey the truth will never be loved and honored by the world. From the lips of the divine Teacher, as He walked in humility among the children of men, were heard the words: Whosoever will be My disciple, let him take up his cross, and follow Me. Yes, follow our Exemplar. Was He seeking for praise and honor of men? Oh, no! Shall we then seek for honor or praise from worldlings? {2T 491.1}

As I see so much room for improvement, I have a hard time looking back at any improvements that have taken place since becoming a Christian.

I guess what I am trying to say is that our focus should be on being connected with Him and let the fruit bearing take care of itself, rather than looking at what fruit I am bearing, or not bearing, if you know what I mean.

LUKE 8:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.


I agree Daryl,
"As I see so much room for improvement, I have a hard time looking back at any improvements that have taken place since becoming a Christian."


The texts and quotes in the posts above are about being thankful for what Christ has done, not in what we have produced.
We thank Him for forgiveness
We thank Him for the assurance of His love
We thank Him for His daily leading and guidance
We thank Him for His abundant promises
We thank Him for life both present and the promise of eternal life.
We thank Him for caring enough to set up the standards for true eternal happiness.

In all this the thanks and glory are God's.

Our part is to walk with Him in humble obedience, if we do that He will bring forth the good fruit in our lives.

Of course there is a sense of joy when we are doing right, as contrasted with the sense of guilt when we are doing wrong. But I don't think we should be patting ourselves on the back as if we've achieved it -- rather thank God for using us to help others.

Perhaps my conversion was more radical than yours. The difference before and after was truly miraculous. Jesus said, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."

Ellen White explains the type of conversion I experienced in the following passage:


There was nothing lackluster about my conversion. The before and after contrast was thrilling. I was thoroughly happy and excited. Still am. I am very thankful for what Jesus has done through me, is doing through me, and will do through me. It blows my mind that people are afraid or ashamed to shout it from the mountain tops, "I am a new creature in Christ. The life I now live, I live by the faith and grace of Jesus."

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." It's not a question of patting ourselves in the back, but of recognizing that God is working in our lives. How can you witness if you can't speak of the love, the joy, the peace God's Spirit produces in your life?
At the same time we are conscious that there is so much room for improvement.

I take exception to the expression "become more perfect." I would say "advance in perfection." What I believe is that, while Adam was actually perfect (he din't need Christ's imputed righteousness) we are perfect only through Christ's imputed righteousness. It's different. We are stil being refined, we are still imperfect. Adam wasn't imperfect.

Are you sure advancing "in" perfection involves sinning less and less until we cease sinning?

Perfection involves sinning less and less as we abide more and more in Christ.