WHEN THE PERFECT COMES

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:10)

Devotion 10 of 17

DOING VERSUS BEING

Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge are more related to DOING than being. Love, or "charity," on the other hand, is more associated with BEING than doing- although doing is certainly involved. God, for example "is love" (1 John 4:8,16). That is His nature, and pervades all that He does. God is nowhere called "work," but He does work. God Himself is not called "power," but He exercises power. The Lord Jesus Christ is called "the power of God" (1 Cor 1:24), because He is the revelation, or manifestation of God. The nature of God Himself, however, is more precisely described in the phrase, "God is love," or a kindred phrase, "God is light" (1 John 1:5). The marvelous things God has accomplished in our salvation is based upon Who He is.

Now, this principle pervades the Kingdom of God: i.e., being (who one is) undergirds doing (what one does). The Corinthians, enamored of gifts, in which they ranked high (1 Cor 1:7), were unusually immature. Their condition caused great concern to the Apostle. Listen to his lament. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor 3:1-3). Their character had not been sufficiently refined to traffic in heavenly realms. Although the things Paul had to say were common, and for all saints, the Corinthians could not receive them.

Did this condition exist because they had not received sufficient revelation? Was it because they lacked information concerning life and godliness? Was their condition owing to fragmented revelation, or bits and pieces that had not yet been joined into a single body of truth? Who is the person who would dare to affirm such foolishness? In Christ people are not rebuked because they have not had access to the truth! In this case, immaturity was not due to an incomplete Bible, but corrupt hearts--hearts that gravitated to the mundane rather the heavenly.

When "that which is perfect" is come, it will thoroughly resolve such situations--not by supplying additional and more concise information, but by bringing a change in the people. That change begins in the new birth, and continues throughout the life of the believer. Spiritual life moves from one stage of glory to another. As it is written, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). The consummation of the process is described as, "when that which is perfect is come."

When the perfect comes, it will change who WE are, not the volume of truth. Truth cannot mature, but men can. During the process of spiritual maturity childish traits are discarded because of the new loves and preferences that growth in Christ brings. It is important to note that spiritual gifts, however valid and profitable they may be, are utterly worthless unless motivated and permeated by love. As it is written, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing" (1 Cor 13:1-3). That is a startling revelation for many, but pure hearts will acknowledge it is surely the truth. Love--the love that comes from God--brings us along in the process of maturity. The value of love is seen in the fact that "when that which is perfect is come," love will remain.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Your only begotten Son, I thank You for the promise of coming perfection. I acknowledge I am not yet perfect, but look forward to the time when I will be.

-- Tomorrow: WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY --