Perfection of Character — Bible Study Express

Why are we exhorted to patience?
James 1:4

KJV ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. WEB ⁴ Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

How perfect does Christ tell us to be?
Matthew 5:48

KJV ⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. WEB ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

In whom are we complete?
Colossians 2:10

KJV ¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: WEB ¹⁰ and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.

After accepting Christ, what are we to do?
Hebrews 6:1

KJV ¹ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, WEB ¹ Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection — not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,

In what is the Christian to grow?
2 Peter 3:18

KJV ¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. WEB ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

How may one grow in grace?
2 Peter 1:5-8

KJV ⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. WEB ⁵ Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; ⁶ and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness; ⁷ and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why does Christ desire this growth in His followers?
Ephesians 5:27

KJV ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. WEB ²⁷ that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.

What will cause the Christian to grow?
1 Peter 2:2

KJV ² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: WEB ² as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,

In order to grow by the word of God, what must one do?
Jeremiah 15:16

KJV ¹⁶ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. WEB ¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.

Psalm 119:11

KJV ¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. WEB ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

See Colossians 3:16

KJV 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. WEB ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

What does God's word then become to the believer?
Last part of Jeremiah 15:16

KJV ¹⁶ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. WEB ¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.

Why are the Scriptures given?
2 Timothy 3:16-17

KJV ¹⁶ 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. WEB ¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How may the lack of wisdom be supplied?
James 1:5

KJV ⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. WEB ⁵ But 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.

In how many things may we ask help from God?
Philippians 4:6

KJV ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. WEB ⁶ In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

What is an evidence of perfection?
James 3:2

KJV 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. WEB ² For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.

What is the bond of perfection?
Colossians 3:14

KJV ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. WEB ¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

See Philippians 3:13-14

KJV ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. WEB ¹³ Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:14

KJV ¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: WEB ¹⁴ Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

How perfect would God have us become?
1 Thessalonians 5:23

KJV ²³ 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. WEB ²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.