Below is an example of one. Here they combine good observations, with presuppositions that can claim NO biblical support. For them to present themselves as such an authority but give such flopsided answers, is as dangerous as the early Gnostics trying to usurp the Church's authority back in the day. Or the "circumcision group" that Paul addressed.
In effect, they are simply saying, here are some Bible verses, and here's some of our hunches, so you can clearly see, what we want you to see. And that's just garbage, or as Paul said Skubalon, which would translate as "shit" in our vernacular.
So, after each paragraph, I'm going to make some observations for you to consider. I can't claim I'm right. I CAN and do claim I'll give you a more balanced view than the parroting lemmings at GOTquestions.org.
http://www.gotquestions.org/sinless-perfection.html
Question: "Is entire sanctification / sinless perfection possible in this life?"
Answer: The Greek word teleios (tel’-i-os) is used throughout the New Testament. It is often translated as “perfect” but can also mean “complete,” “full-grown,” and even “mature.” The confusion comes in when various translations use the word perfect instead of one of the other meanings. As an example, in James 1:4 Scripture says that we will be “perfect and complete.” But a further reading of the book shows that a better translation would be “mature,” because in James 3:2 we find that we all stumble. Obviously, we cannot stumble if we are perfect. However, the concept of maturity is compatible with imperfection.
Their observations on the word Telios is on mark. In the days of King Jim's authorized version, the use of the word would not have caused the confusion that it does today. Only in the last 150ish years has that word, PERFECT, present the picture of Utopian standards. So, when you see it, consider it as finished, or mature, and then ask yourself what is the author saying finished would look like. If you can get 5 people to understand this, and they get 5 people to understand this, and so forth, in about 10 years, we'll be out of the myths created by not taking the time to understand this word.
Their last line ruins some good thought. Right after clarifying what the word Perfect means in context, they turn around and use it exactly as they said how not to use it. They make no effort to define what perfect meant in those verses, or what mature would look like in the verses.
If you are Biblically perfect, you won't stumble. But until you are perfect you can stumble. If you claim to be perfect before you are perfected then you will have to rewrite these verses to suit your needs and claims. What is Biblical perfection. They seem to have no clue. They offer no explanation. I doubt it ever crossed their mind because it doesn't fit into their parroted thoughts.
They are assuming the "Perfect" word means a Utopian concept. Why would this conclusion not be viable.... You are saved, and start a walk but are not yet fully mature in that walk, or finished in that walk, and along the walk as you learn (trials and tribulations) you will make errors, but when you arrive at being perfect/you no longer make those mistakes. Seems to me that would fit just fine in the verses, definitions and context of the verses.
The error comes in assuming you are there already, or assuming it can't happen until after you die.
Plus, it denies that Paul gave several claims and examples of perfect people. I think before anyone considers these "perfect" verses they should take the time to study what biblical perfection is.
First Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 4:13; and Colossians 1:28 and 4:12 all should be translated as “mature” or “full-grown,” both of which fit in well in each verse’s context. As human beings we are still bound under the curse of Adam. No matter how hard we try not to, we will still sin against God. The Apostle Paul scolded Peter for favoritism (Galatians 2:11-13). Late in his ministry, Paul calls himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Peter, James, John, and Paul all admitted that they were not perfect. How could you or I claim anything different?
Not sure how 1 cor 13:10 factors into this conversation.
Ephesians 4:13 would be well expressed as mature, and it also defines what maturity is. If Christian Maturity is measured, metaphorically, in a glass size, then our glass of maturity will be the same size glass as the Christ had on earth.
Not only that, but it will be filled to the same amount as His glass was.
And in case you don't get the picture, Paul reiterates that it will be to the complete fullness of Christ.
The explanation Got?s.org present, would say that Paul was a heretic as their answer doesn't allow for this direct quote to occur in any fashion.
Col 1:28 shows there is a completeness, or finished state, that Paul wanted to be able to present every man to Christ. Well, Paul won't be presenting dead men, so he referenced living people. That makes it problematic to say that Paul had a goal and expectation that was impossible. So much for a God of truth, or biblical inerrancy when you go and proclaim Holy Red Herrings from biblical leaders.
I wonder why they leave out the apparent contradiction from Paul in Phil 3 where he says he's not perfect, and then says he and others are perfect. ? Or in Romans 7:5 when he says that sinful nature/flesh is not something he is struck with anymore. Or the times he describes some are meat eaters and milk drinkers.
The curse of Adam I assume they present as the sinful nature. They say we are all bound under it, and imply it's permanent. However there is no scripture to support that claim. And there are some, which I'll show you in a second that say exactly the opposite.
Paul scolded peter, yes, that is true. What it has to do here Is beyond me. Perhaps they are claiming Peter sinned there. Errrr... not every mistake or misunderstanding is a sin. Peter was wrong in his actions, but not sinning, is a fine conclusion for that episode. Especially since the rest of Galations gives examples of one who would be mature and NOT sin any longer.
1 Tim 1:15 claims we are all sinners, which is true, every living human being has sinned. Thus we are not pure as Christ was, we all carry sin burden/debt. In what way can this be construed that you continue adding to that sin burden or debt until you die? It says you have sinned, but not that you will continue to sin forever. And in lieu of Paul's comment in Ephesians, it's expected, by Paul at least, that you get to a point to be as mature as Christ was. So, whatever you want define "telios" as, Paul expects us to have it as much as Christ did. So at the point you are at that point that Paul expects, if you wish to argue that you will still sin, then you must defend that Christ sinned. OR claim Paul was a raging idiot/lunatic.
Paul claimed he was perfect. John claimed he didn't sin any longer. I don't know where they get their information. But they skew it to suit their fancy, not let their fancy be skewed by the scripture. Paul in Phil 3, as many of us as are perfect. John in 1 john chapter 1, and 3:9. John is in fellowship with God, those he writes to are not. To be in fellowship with God, you must walk in the light AS HE DOES. Does he sin? Does God sin against himself? If you walk in the light as HE DOES then your walk would commit as many sins as HE COMMITS. John also says there is no darkness/sin in Him, so to be in Him you can carry no darkness. This is made clear in 2:8 where the darkness needed to be washed away before those he wrote to were in fellowship with Him.
3:9, claims one born of God can't sin, CAN NOT SIN, there is no iffyness to the Greek words there. The reason is, HIS SEED IS IN THEM. I'd read that to mean, it's HIS SEED/SPIRIT that keeps it from happening, not man's mightiness. Blessed are the weak in spirit, not the strong. You become weak and depend on HIS SEED and the result is, 3:9.
The first sentence here offers NO support scripturally. What they do present doesn't reach the conclusion they wished for. The Thessalonian verse they present merely states that at some point you will be yanked into the air to be with Him. It doesn't say everyone will be. As written it could mean those who aren't perfect are left behind. After all, many are called, few are chosen, right? Regardless, it doesn't say that you will be perfect after you are pulled to the air. Not in context, nor in words. They really stretch and imply things they can't back up. That's dangerous theology.
Phil 3:20-1 merely says where our ultimate destination is to be. Not that the destination is when you will be perfected. In fact, Paul had just said in vs 15 that him and OTHERS were perfect now. So this is an unfortunate verse for them to use.
1 cor 15:54 comes closest to their claims.> But it's not conclusive, in fact you can argue more logically that it supports sinless perfection on earth.
What is the perishable? The imperfect that is death, that sinful nature inside of us.
What is the perfect? The Spirit of God that indwells us.
Gal 2:20 says it's no longer me who lives but HE who lives in me.
The ME that is gone, is col 2:11, body of the sins of the flesh is removed (from living on earth people).
The HE that lives in you is Romans 8:9 if the Spirit indwells you, YOU ARE NO LONGER IN THE FLESH.
If the Spirit indwells you, the flesh is gone, that which makes you sin when you don't want to is not present, that which keeps you from giving into temptation is present, Gal 5;16 If you walk by the Spirit you won't give into temptation.
The rest of their comments I need not address as the verses they present continue to discuss life after earth, and do not tie into the claim that you are made perfect after death.
I've presented plenty of options that show you can read scripture, very bluntly, and logically to imply you will be perfected on earth.
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