God's Perfection Expectations

The Bible (KJV) has its own definition of perfection, understanding, and expectations of perfection. I believe that the Bible, as “GOD’S WORD,” explains these definitions, understandings, and expectations in God’s own belief of what man can become.

We can accept any expectation someone has placed upon us, redefine it according to our own standards, and then claim to understand those expectations. However, God has clearly revealed the recipe for perfection in His word to the holy men of the past.

A simple example of human expectations is the setting of speed limits on roads. When a speed limit is established, most drivers interpret it differently based on their specific driving circumstances.

Some drivers simply disregard the speed limit and drive either at their desired speed or at the maximum speed they can manage without incurring a ticket. It is widely believed that the majority of drivers exceed the speed limit by a range of 1 to 10 miles per hour.  It is thought that the police are unable to ascertain the accuracy of every speedometer, and they cannot even determine whether the local judge or magistrate would concur with the ticketing officer that the driver was indeed speeding.  

Some drivers actually exceed the speed limit, acting as if they are VIPs (Very Prominent People) who feel they are being impeded from reaching their local Starbucks for their morning coffee. These lawbreakers might have overslept and feel justified in driving at any speed.  

Now let’s be extreme with the next sentence:

A driver who kill's someone by driving one mile over the legal limit should have to explain their justifications to the loved ones of the victims who were killed by their reckless behavior!

The sentence above will likely spark debates among us, possibly even most of us. It could be an attempt to argue about its meaning or to clarify what we truly mean by exceeding the speed limit. Regardless, if someone dies due to reckless driving, such as speeding, or by violating any of the driving laws enforced by our government, there are no personal excuses that the loved ones of the deceased would or should find unacceptable.

If anyone is ticketed for driving even a single mile over or under the speed limit, as mandated by law, they have indeed violated the law. They will be required to answer to the law if necessary for their actions. Regardless of the judgment the law enforcer imposes on the lawbreaker, the lawbreaker must be held accountable and given due process.

Saying that, I will give 4 scriptures that are committed to by the Bible (KJV).

Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Rom 12:2 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.

Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

The three scriptures mentioned above are already quite demanding on their own. However, there’s one particular scripture that, regardless of how you interpret, define, or redirect it, remains steadfast and independent.

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

This scripture establishes the expectation and understanding. It is what inspired Matthew to write it by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the biblical definition of the word PERFECTION.  

To be Perfect, is to be like GOD.

By Charles E. Cohenour Jr., Servant of God

Sons of God

Narrative History, the book of Job, is the oldest book in the Bible, believed to have been written around 2100-1800 B.C. It stands on its own merits and requires minimal interpretation. The characters in its pages are real and non-fictional. 

The main character is Job himself, and his existence is corroborated not only in the Book of Job but also in the Book of Ezekiel and the Book of James. 

Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. 

Ezekiel 14:20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. 

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

Job, a man chosen by God to be attacked by Satan, embodies faithfulness and remains steadfast in his devotion to God. Even during times of immense suffering, the Book of Job serves as a testament to God’s sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness. The story of Job is based on a real event, making it a reliable source of information, as it accurately portrays the events and characters involved.

Spiritualizing away Scripture involves interpreting literal historical events in a spiritual manner, assigning secondary meanings to them. Spiritualization posits that every noun and many verbs possess hidden meanings, which discerning believers can decipher. It is believed that this requires great wisdom. 

Believers are easily swayed by this notion, assuming that the person sharing spiritual interpretations is more knowledgeable or closer to God than they are. However, when these interpretations are applied to almost every word in the Bible, spiritualization becomes an exaggeration, claiming that the hidden meanings offered are diverse and provide any real significance.

For instance, the word “adversary” is defined as one’s opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute, such as a rival, enemy, antagonist, combatant, challenger, contender, competitor, or opposer. While an adversary can be used in various contexts, it should not be employed solely to describe something or someone in a negative manner. 

An adversary is never defined as the Lord, the Almighty, the Creator, the Maker, Jehovah, or Yahweh. Similarly, the word “ADVERSARY” is not identified as Christ, the Messiah, or the Son of God. Neither the definition of the word “ADVERSARY” nor that of “Satan” is defined. 

However, the definition of Satan is “ADVERSARY,” but it is incorrect to use Satan to interpret the word “ADVERSARY.” 

The fallen angel of Job, as named in the book, is referred to as Satan by the author. The Lord spoke to Satan, and the writer used this as the angel’s proper name. In Job, Satan is not used as a descriptor of a human being. 

Another word that is often misinterpreted is “messenger.” A messenger can be a person who carries a message or is employed to deliver messages. They can be couriers, runners, envoys, emissaries, agents, go-betweens, message-bearers, postmen, letter carriers, mailmen, or legates. 

While angels can be messengers, the word “messenger” is never used as a definition for “angel.” Descriptions of the subject of the soul do not limit or contain it in any way. This is similar to describing a man as a preacher; it doesn’t limit him or prevent him from being something else. 

Angels, being used as messengers by angels, can also be called messengers. However, they are not limited to being strictly messengers. 

Angels are also ministering spirits, so Satan can be a ministering spirit, both for good and evil. In Job’s story, Satan was an evil ministering spirit. Similarly, Judas, a messenger, and called a devil, was also an evil ministering spirit.

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

Just as Messenger and Adversary can be used correctly or incorrectly, the term “sons of God” can be used to describe both angels and children of God. Luke 20:36 provides an account of this. 

Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 

Jesus, our Savior, declared that the resurrected dead were EQUAL to the angels. Since the resurrected and angels were EQUAL, angels were also recognized as children of God. Not only are angels and the resurrected EQUAL as children of God, but they are also EQUAL in the fact that they will never die again. This means that angels, at one time, had the ability to die like any other soul, but their deaths will occur in the future. Matthew clearly states that angels will perish. 

Matthew 25:41 (KJV) 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Job, the first book written, serves as a reference for understanding word usages. The book of Job provides a clear insight into the identity of the “sons of God.” Notably, Job himself is not included as one of the sons of God in the Book of Job. If the sons of God were indeed men, Job would have been counted among them.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came alsoamong them. 

Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 

Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 are explained by Job 38:7. Job 38 explains that the “sons of God” were present with the morning stars. The scriptures suggest that the “morning stars” were singing as the “sons of God” shouted their presence when God laid the foundations of the earth? 

The realization or the unseen reality is that these "Morning Stars and Sons of God" existed before Adam was ever created. In Job 38, the Lord inquires about the time of creation. He asserts that there were beings present with Him, including Jesus, who proclaimed the glory of the Lord’s creation, even though there was no human presence. 

Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 

Job 38 clearly describes beings, other than humans, as "sons of God”. 

There are other accounts written about who accompanied God during the formation of the world’s foundations in the creation account of man in Genesis.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

The phrase “Let us” suggests that there were more than one being involved in the creation of Adam. In Genesis 1:26, the “us” refers to God and one or more other angelic beings. The Book of John provides further clarification on this matter.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

The Word, as depicted in John chapter 1, refers to Jesus Christ. Jesus was present from the beginning. In Genesis 1:26, God addressed more than just Jesus. 

Jesus created “ALL” things, as mentioned in John 1:3, including angels. Among these angels were those who were faithful to him, accepted Jesus as their Lord, and were considered “sons of God.” John 1:12 offers evidence of this.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

There are no limits to who can receive Jesus, even angels. The angels, as "sons of God", were not created during the creation of the earth but were of God created by the Holy Spirit before the foundation of the world. There is a deeper meaning to John 1:12-13, which has been limited only by scholars.

Before the creation of man, Satan was included among the “sons of God” in Job. Job implies that Satan was once part of the “sons of God” and an angel. 

However, at the time of the meeting of the “sons of God” in Job’s story, Satan was not included among them. By the time of Job, Satan, along with other angels, had lost his first estate. 

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 

Job doesn’t provide a reason for the "sons of God’s" presentation; it simply states that they were presenting themselves. However, due to Satan’s presentation, Job does offer an understanding that the sons of God would be held accountable for their actions and whereabouts. 

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From goingto and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 

Satan had to provide an explanation of his whereabouts and actions. Similarly, the other sons of God would adhere to this established protocol when addressing the Lord during their presentations. Through this account, we can comprehend that Job 1:7 is indeed a conversation between the Lord and Satan, a ministering spirit. 

Satan wasn’t aimlessly wandering, daydreaming. Instead, Satan was among humans, tempting them. As the fallen Angel of God, Satan was never a ministering Spirit of Good to mankind. Instead, Satan only ministered evil through temptation. 

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 

Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 

The devil, Satan, was a sinner from the very beginning, as a son of God, from the very beginning of creation. 

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

This scripture also demonstrates that Jesus did not destroy the entity of Satan but rather destroyed his works. The angel, Satan, had a task to accomplish among humanity’s seas (the world). Satan tempts and influences anyone he can, striving to prevent mankind from inheriting eternal life. The reason Satan opposes mankind’s eternal life is that, as the Serpent in Genesis 3, he was cursed to consume the dusk, which is humanity.

Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 

As long as Satan is dependent on “dust” or mankind for survival, he must ensure that mankind never achieves perfection. When all of mankind is perfected, there will be no more death, no one for Satan to sustain himself, and no more “dust.”

It makes sense for Satan to be present alongside the sons of God in Job. This is to ensure that the Lord’s most perfect man is defeated at the earliest possible moment of perfection. If the Lord was willing to allow Satan to test Job, Satan was more than willing to do so. Satan attempted to influence Job to deny God, but Satan’s testing of Job ultimately led to Job becoming a much better man of God. God used Satan as a ministering evil angel. Another proof text from the Book of Job that supports the idea of fallen angels and the sons of God is when a “Spirit" spoke with Eliphaz the Temanite.

Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
Job 4:18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
Job 4:19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? 

This “Spirit" speaks of the entire heavenly host and the trials they endured, some emerging victorious, others charged with “folly", as evident in the host’s praise of God for the Messiah’s birth (Luke 2:13), while others met with disastrous consequences and are condemned to eternal fire (Mark 25:13).

Job distinguishes between God’s servants (sinless angels), the (sinful) angels, and mortal man. In Job 4:17, 18 and 19, Job refers to mankind. God asserts that if the (sinful) angelic host were held accountable for disobedience (folly), so too would mortal man, without God, who reside in clay houses. 

In conclusion, determining that Job’s “sons of God” are only men because men are more frequently referred to as “sons of God” in the Bible than angels is an error. The term “sons of God” is accurately used in Job to describe and to convey angels.   Similarly, every messenger or ministering spirit is not an angel, and not every adversary is Satan. Hopefully, after careful study, I have provided readers with a better understanding of Job.

By Charles E. Cohenour Jr., servant of God.

How I Study the Bible (KJV)

How I study the bible & what tools do I use to prove my Faith?  

I was guided in my faith by my father, Rev. Charlie Cohenour Sr. Rev. Cohenour taught me to listen attentively to what we studied, guided by patience and prayer. To demonstrate my approval before God, I was instructed to study diligently. Similarly, I was encouraged to work at my own pace and complete my own tasks, free from the influence of the world or its teachings. (2 Timothy 2:15  1Th 4:11  1Th 4:12)  

My father firmly believed that the King James Version Bible was a divine revelation, passed down to each generation as God’s Word. I was raised to trust this belief with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

It came to a time when I had to demonstrate that the King James Bible was the Word of God for our generation. Upon studying King James, I discovered that he was not the author. Instead, he was the publisher, whom I believe was divinely guided by God to create this living embodiment of God’s Word.  

I also discovered that King James personally convened the Hampton Court Conference on January 1, 1604, to officially initiate the monumental translation project. He meticulously established strict translation guidelines to guarantee the objectivity of the translators and ensure that only the most accurate and pure translation of the Scriptures was translated into English.

The Bible was divided into six teams of scholars, each comprising two members. These teams were established at Westminster, Oxford, and Cambridge. Not only did they utilize the most reliable Hebrew and Greek texts, but they also made use of every available version to compare the varying readings. Consequently, the basic text was completed within four years. 

The translation underwent two additional years of meticulous verification. In 1610, a team of two individuals from each of the original six teams conducted a final check. After nine grueling months of proofreading, the authorized Bible was printed in 1611. Its impact on Western society is immeasurable, having profoundly influenced our thoughts and shaped our understanding of the world.

Finding this information was a start, but how could I be certain that this version was and is the correct Word of God for our generation to seek for ultimate truth? I’ve read the NKJV, NIV, ASV, an Interlinear Bible that includes the Greek and Hebrew, and a few other versions. Each of these versions was remarkably different, which violated the commandment of false reporting (Exo 23:1). These counterfeits omitted or altered the true meaning of the Word of God. Naturally, I based my findings on the KJV. I’ve learned to distrust these books and even to avoid reading them, as they were based on lies and fallacies.

Knowing that comparing the KJV to other misinterpretations of God’s word would only lead to intellectual confusion, I sought guidance from my spiritual leaders. My father, a devout believer and God-called preacher and teacher of the word, exclusively used the KJV for teaching and living by. This was a steadfast fact that I could rely on for confirmation. My mother, Ruth Naomi Cohenour, was another spiritual leader I deeply trusted. Jesus blessed and favored her greatly. Ruth was the musical leader in our home church, part of the Body of Christ. She was also an exceptional preacher of the Word of God. Ruth received divine inspiration to write numerous songs based on scripture from the KJV. She is a steadfast believer in the KJV. 

The next inspiration for me was the Rev. William Sowders, the founder of the Body of Christ. Bro. Sowders used and taught the doctrines of Truth for our generation using the King James Version (KJV). All of this was a compelling natural truth to me that the KJV is the Word of God for this generation. 

However, I needed some other unquestionable spiritual truth from God himself to be an undeniable truth.

Charles Fox Parham, often referred to as the ‘father of the Pentecostal Movement,’ is most renowned for proclaiming and subsequently imparting the experience of baptism with the Holy Spirit, marked by the initial manifestation of speaking in tongues. Charles Fox Parham received his revelation of the Holy Spirit from the pages of the King James Version of the Bible. Through this endeavor and this sacred text, the Holy Spirit descended upon the United States of America in a mass revival.

That settled the question of whose Bible was blessed by God as the Word for this generation.  

Having settled on this foundational truth, I found a way to prove God’s word. This truth was discovered independently, without consulting another Bible or seeking further truth in any other writing. The Bible itself serves as its own proof.

I don’t use a concordance or a biblical reference book. I believe that God has shown me that anything written by humans will also be influenced by their faith. I am guided by the principles of Exodus 23:1 and Revelation 22:19, which prompt me to seek truth in its most understandable form. Just as God left us His teachings based on His decrees and beliefs, every author leaves their mark on their writings. I believe that the King James Version is proven, validated, and verified by its own text.   

I also believe in divine inspiration, as the spirit guides me to uncover hidden truths. I firmly believe in the power of biblical familiarity. Repeatedly reading the word will deepen your understanding of its teachings.

That being said, I do use a dictionary to clarify words. I believe a dictionary is as unbiased as I can find to aid in understanding word definitions. To enhance my grammatical comprehension, I use a thesaurus. Additionally, I utilize a computer Bible program based on the King James Version to facilitate quick searches in the KJV.  

I also have a collection of numerous study notes written by my father. These notes cover a wide range of topics and doctrines, and I often refer to them for reference.

Lastly, I follow (Exo. 32:1, Exo. 23:32 and Rev. 22:19).

That’s the essence of my study habits.

By Charles E. Cohenour Jr., Servant of God