THE PERFECT CLUB

Specifically, members of The Perfect Club pledge to:

· Obey every single one of God’s Commandments in the Old and New Testaments perfectly;

· Obey all of God’s commandments with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength;

· Obey these commandments with the emphasis and priority given to them in the Bible;

· Obey these commandments in the way Scripture commands them to be obeyed (e.g., Leviticus 3:7 = John 1:29);

· Let other members of The Perfect Club know whenever they are falling short of God’s perfect standard, in a gentle, congenial, winsome, helpful way that firmly encourages and practically empowers the other member to be perfect, not provoking them to wrath but nourishing them in the “nouthesia” of the Lord.[1]

Every member of The Perfect Club says “I am committed to becoming everything and exactly what God created me to be.”

Members of The Perfect Club recognize that anyone who lives in a mediocre culture (such as ours) is going to be hooted at if he announces he is “trying to become perfect.” But God doesn’t have anything bad to say about people who have become “entirely ready” for Him to remove all the remains of “the old man.”[2]

Members of The Perfect Club say, I am not satisfied with my old man. Just as my Heavenly Father cannot tolerate unrighteousness and injustice, I strive to be perfect. Even if I never achieve that goal in my lifetime, I please my Heavenly Father by being open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, and by being intolerant of my “old man.” I know great joy from looking at the strides I’ve made, and I learn more about the character of God by my commitment to perfection.

Members of The Perfect Club are committed to observing the following commands:

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

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, {21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 3:15 Therefore let us, as many as are perfect, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Colossians 1:27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. {28} Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. {29} To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

1 John 4:17-18 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. {18} There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, {7} rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Hebrews 5:12-6:3 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {6:1} Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, {2} of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. {3} And this we will do if God permits.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

James 1:16-18 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. {17} Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. {18} Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. {5} If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Hebrews 10:1,5-10,14 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. {5} Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. {6} In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. {7} Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God.’ “ {8} Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), {9} then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. {10} By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. {14} For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 9:11-12 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. {12} Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; {9} And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;

Hebrews 2:10-11 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. {11} For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

2 Corinthians 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.

2 Corinthians 13:7-9 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. {8} For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. {9} For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. {7:1} Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: {7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: {8} Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. {2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John 17:20-23 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; {21} That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. {22} And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: {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.

Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.

Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

America once aspired to perfection, to be a “city upon a hill,” to take the gospel to every nation on the planet. Even our old, out-of-date, nobody-really-pays-any-attention-to-it-anymore Constitution begins,

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Was America under the Articles of Confederation already perfect? If perfect is perfect, what is “more perfect?” Was it wrong for America to try to be perfect?

Members of The Perfect Club recognize the differences between the “moral law,” the “ceremonial law,” and the “judicial law” through the following considerations:

1. Since the Fall it has always been unlawful to use the law of God in hopes of establishing one’s own personal merit and justification, in contrast or complement to salvation by way of promise and faith; commitment to obedience is but the lifestyle of faith, a token of gratitude for God’s redeeming grace.

2. The word of the Lord is the sole, supreme, and unchallengeable standard for the actions and attitudes of all men in all areas of life; this word naturally includes God’s moral directives (law).

3. Our obligation to keep the law of God cannot be judged by any extrascriptural standard, such as whether its specific requirements (when properly interpreted) are congenial to past traditions or modern feelings and practices.

4. We should presume that Old Testament standing laws[3]continue to be morally binding in the New Testament, unless they are rescinded or modified by further revelation.

5. In regard to the Old Testament law, the New Covenant surpasses the Old Covenant in glory, power, and finality (thus reinforcing former duties). The New Covenant also supercedes the Old Covenant shadows, thereby changing the application of sacrificial, purity, and “separation” principles, redefining the people of God, and altering the significance of the promised land.

6. God’s revealed standing laws are a reflection of His immutable moral character and, as such, are absolute in the sense of being non-arbitrary, objective, universal, and established in advance of particular circumstances (thus applicable to general types of moral situations).

7. Christian involvement in politics calls for recognition of God’s transcendent, absolute, revealed law as a standard by which to judge all social codes.

8. The general continuity which we presume with respect to the moral standards of the Old Testament applies just as legitimately to matters of socio-political ethics as it does to personal, family, or ecclesiastical ethics.

9. The civil precepts of the Old Testament (standing “judicial” laws) are a model of perfect social justice for all cultures.[4]

The Westminster Larger Catechism (1648) describes the benefits of “salvation” as defined by the greatest Reformed theologians:

Q. 75. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby
They	whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy,
are	*in time*, through the powerful operation of His Spirit[a] applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them,[b]
renewed	in their whole man after the image of God;[c] having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts,[d] and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened,[e] as that
*they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life*.[f]

Let’s look at the Catechism answer in more detail, specifically focusing on the “proof-texts” appended by the Westminster Divines.

[a] Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit (Eph. 1:4; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13)

Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

We were not chosen simply to strum a harp on some celestial cloud for eternity. We shall be holy. In history.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. But our future is here on earth, not just in heaven, and our future is one of ethical transformation, from rebel to ambassador, from outlaw to priest and king under Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Salvation through sanctification.

Faith without works is dead.

[b] applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, (Rom. 6:4-6)

Romans 6:4-6 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, {6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Christ had a passionate dedication to following His Father’s will. If we are “in Christ” we partake of this passion. We must cultivate that desire, and put to death all desires that stand in the way of Christ’s perfect obedience.

[c] renewed in their whole man after the image of God; (Eph. 4:23-24)

Ephesians 4:23-24 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, {24} and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

The must be put to death. We must put on Christ.
Our whole life must be renewed in time and in history.
A society of Christians will likewise be renewed, as each individual puts on Christ.

[d] having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, (Acts 11:18; 1 John 3:9)

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”	“Repentance” means total repudiation of an autonomous (self-determined) lifestyle and whole-hearted dedication to Theonomic (God-directed) living.
1 John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.	When some theologians hear this verse, they do not “become silent” (see verse above). “But, but, but,” they say. It may be true that no Christian can be sinless after conversion, but anyone who is not passionately dedicated to following God’s Law and becoming perfect should question his salvation.

[e] and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, (Jude 20; Heb. 6:11-12; Eph. 3:16-19; Col. 1:10-11)

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,	The Catechism correctly states that it is the Holy Spirit that “stirs up, increases, and strengthens” the grace of God in us. But Jude calls on us to worship God with all our heart, mind, soul, and might, and “build *yourselves* up.”
Hebrews 6:11-12 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, {12} that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.	Too many Christians today are “sluggish” and do not “show the same diligence” to conform their lives to the perfect Standard of God’s Law. Are they “saved?” Will they “inherit the promises?”
Ephesians 3:16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, {17} that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; {19} to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.	The Westminster divines emphasize personal holiness and Theonomic obedience in a way that is not evident in most churches today.
Colossians 1:10-11 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; {11} strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;	Do you walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him? Are you fruitful in every good work? If you are not, don’t be distressed; be renewed! Put your old man to death and put on Christ! The glorious power of Christ can make you patient and fill you with joy!

[f] as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life. (Rom. 6:4, 6, 14; Gal. 5:24)

Romans 6:4,6,14 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.{14} For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Do you know how to kill your old man and put on Christ?

Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

And those who are not, have not.
Make a firm resolution right now to crucify the old man. A friend of the world is an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:17

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:11

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Thessalonians 2:13

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Hebrews 2:11

We hope you will join The Perfect Club.

Do you really have any choice?

Is there any other way to salvation?

[1] nouqesiða, nouthesia, admonition, exhortation

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Titus 3:10
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, [con’t ð]

–nouqetew, noutheteo, to admonish, warn, exhort

Acts 20:31
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.

Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

1 Corinthians 4:14
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Colossians 1:28
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give instruction to you,

1 Thessalonians 5:14
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

2 Thessalonians 3:15
Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

[2] Romans 6:1-14 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
{2} Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
{3} Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
{4} Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
{5} For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
{6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
{7} For he who has died has been freed from sin.
{8} Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
{9} knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.
{10} For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
{11} Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
{12} Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
{13} And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
{14} For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Ephesians 4:17-24 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
{18} having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
{19} who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
{20} But you have not so learned Christ,
{21} if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
{22} that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
{23} and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
{24} and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:1-17 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
{2} Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
{3} For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
{4} When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
{5} Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
{6} Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
{7} in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
{8} But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
{9} Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
{10} and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
{11} where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
{12} Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
{13} bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
{14} But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
{15} And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
{16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
{17} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

[3] “Standing law” is used here for policy directives applicable over time to classes of individuals (e.g., do not kill; children, obey your parents; merchants, have equal measures; magistrates, execute rapists), in contrast to particular directions for an individual (e.g., the order for Samuel to anoint David at a particular time and place) or positive commands for distinct incidents (e.g., God’s order for Israel to exterminate certain Canaanite tribes at a certain point in history).

[4] Taken from Greg L. Bahnsen, “Preface to the Second Edition,” Theonomy in Christian Ethics, 2nd ed., The Craig Press, 1983.