It’s fascinating to read in Scripture that the same doctrinal confusion of biblical days is still a thing today. It must all go back to the human condition, after all, earthly living is primarily dependent upon the health and vitality of the body.

It’s only natural to rely on our bodies for work and strength and our minds for knowledge. But while carnal Christians are busy doing worldly work, enjoying worldly pleasures and following inherently self-centered thoughts and feelings; God is gently prompting those immature believers to grow up in Him.

Of course God knew believers would face this challenge; people, even God’s people have the propensity to not only be carnal, but to remain carnal.

Hebrews 6:1-3 illustrates this Truth by urging believers to “go unto perfection” and consequently lays out the distinguishing features of the full Doctrine of Christ.

“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, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permits.” (KJV)

Furthermore, Paul is talking about moving onto more complex learning in the Scripture in this passage, through describing continuance in Christ, after initially coming to faith, through outlining the doctrines of Christ. A parallel to this is the study of the "meat of the Word," as compared to the "milk of the Word," as taught by Paul in 1Corinthians 3:2.

God metaphorically refers to the human spirit as the “heart” and the heart or spirit is where our motives are formed and manifested.

God doesn’t want us doing anything for Him because we feel this annoying obligation we feel the need to satisfy, for the sole purpose of easing our conscience. NO. He wants our motivation to be out of love for His Righteousness, which He has imputed into our hearts:

“ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”

(Hebrews 8:10)

So we have learned that spiritual perfection is not what it sounds like. It does NOT refer to reaching perfection, as only our Lord Jesus is capable of such a feat!

But, rather that we love as God loves, impartially, as He gives us His Nature; enabling us to do which we could never do on our own:

"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

 

God’s Word has shown that believers are born of the spirit, then receive God’s Spirit through faith and continue to walk in it in; worshipping God through Christ Jesus:

 

Born of the Spirit:

 

“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”                                                                                                                        (John 3:5).

 

Receive the Spirit:

 

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

(Acts 2:38)

 

Live/Walk by the Spirit:

 

“ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”                                                (Galatians 5:25) 

 

 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

 

Worship in Spirit:

 

“ For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” (Philippians 3:3) 

 

“ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”                                                                                                           (John 4:24)

 

There are many more verses on this topic including: Luke 17:5,, Luke 8:14-15, Colossians 1:9-10, Colossians 2:6-7, Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:14-16, Corinthians 3:2-3 & Philippians 2:12-13)

 

FURTHERMORE this is not hard; Jesus said:

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

NKJV, KJV