I had a conversation with a coworker the other day, who incidentally is not a Christian, but he brought to my attention that he has been watching "Christians" for about a year now; and IF it wasn’t for the poor representation of Jesus Christ, a.k.a. Christians (Christ-like individuals), he would follow Jesus. Though that's not a good enough excuse that anyone can use in the day of judgment, it's amazing to see and point out that a sinner whom God is dealing with has a better perception of the "Christian-lifestyle" than people who name the name of Jesus!!! He spoke of a "Christian" who lied to him straight in the face, and he told me that if he ever surrenders to Jesus he would commit 100%. He wouldn't say that he's a "Christian" and lie, curse, drink, smoke, fornicate, etc. And if you went out on the streets and asked any sinner about the "Christian-lifestyle" they would say likewise, that a "Christian" doesn't do those things, but when you ask "Christians" the same question, a lot seem to be in the dark to the works of the flesh and justify what the sinner himself knows to be wrong, wrong, wrong!

Luke 14:25-35

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, [As you read this passage, note that Jesus wasn't concerned with how many heads He could count in His Church membership as He was for them to be 100% committed!]

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? [Have you ever heard any altar calls recently like Jesus gave them! I hope you have, because that's how we are suppose to give them.]

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 22:37

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

A lot of people who say they are "Christians" sincerely love the Lord a lot; but are we called to love the Lord a lot? Will 99.9% do just fine? Or did Jesus call for 100% of our commitment? If we don't surrender ALL, the devil will seduce you sooner or later and drag you to hell with him because Jesus isn't Lord over ALL the kingdoms of your heart!

Where's the excellence? Being forgiven is no provision to not honor our Father with our walk. I told the coworker, being perfect is not ever making a mistake or stumbling, but even if you do, get up and make it right! Don't cover it up! David was said to be a man after God's own heart not because he never made a mistake, but because when his heart smote him, he made it right.

IKing 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

IKing 15:14 But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.

II Ki 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

1 Chr 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

2 Chr 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

2 Chr 19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

2 Chr 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Ps 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Ps 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Ps 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Prov 2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

Prov 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

John 17:23 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.

2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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.

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God

1Thes 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

When you get a chance look up the Hebrew & Greek words for perfect. Here's just two:

8549 tamiym (taw-meem');

from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth:

KJV-- without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

2675 katartizo (kat-ar-tid'-zo);

from 2596 and a derivative of 739; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:

KJV-- fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect (-ly join together), prepare, restore.

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