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 11 of 17

WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13;12).

The "glass" of the KJV means a "looking glass," or mirror. In the revelation given to us, we are seeing a reflection of spiritual realities, and not the realities themselves. Faith, not the human intellect, takes hold of the Word of God. Assured of the realities of which Scripture speaks, faith acknowledges that what is grasped goes beyond the perimeter of human knowledge. Thus, mature believers are said to "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" (Eph 3:19).

We see "in a mirror dimly" (NASB), having but a "poor reflection" (NIV), as compared to the realities themselves. This poorness is NOT owing to any inadequacy in the message, but to the impoverishment of human words and capacities, when compared to the realities of which they speak. Thus Paul, after being given a detailed view of some of God's purposeful working, exclaimed, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Rom 11:33, NKJV)

Thoroughness In Understanding

Words dimly reflect the glory to which we have been called. This in no way suggests an adequacy of Scripture--not at all! Our text, however, is not speaking of adequacy, but of precision of understanding. The chief difficulty with theories focusing on the completeness of the revelation (and it is complete) is that it betrays a general lack of familiarity with the "things that are NOT seen" (2 Cor 4:17 18). Those embracing such a view also assign a greater value to human capacity, even when a person is born again, than Scripture ascribes.

Thus it is written, "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power" (1 Cor 4:20, NASB). The Spirit does not here exclude words, for He uses them to convey the thoughts of God (1 Cor 2:13). The effectiveness of the words, however, is owing to Divine power, which is transcendent to the words themselves. This circumstance exists because of the infirmity of human capacities in this world. While in the flesh, we are shut up to partiality!

When transported into the "third heaven ," Paul heard words that were "unlawful" for him to utter. The NASB says he "heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak" (2 Cor 12:4). Paul does not mean it would be a transgression of God's law or will to share the words he heard. He means the laws that undergird human communication (words, speech, insight, etc.), were not adequate for the conveyance of those things. They were simply transcendent to man's expressive abilities. Sin has so blighted our race that we are not able to bear the full force of spiritual reality. No matter how far we advance in this world, we will always be able to say, "I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead" (Phil 3:13, NASB).

The regenerate life itself is the "firstfruits" of what is to come (Rom 8:23). Salvation is, in a very real sense, "ready to be revealed" (1 Pet 1:5). While we are "in the body" (Heb 13:3), we only have the introduction to the glorious salvation that awaits us. This should not take us by surprise. Our "inheritance" is reserved for us in heaven (1 Pet 1:4). That condition, coupled with us inhabiting a frail "tent" (2 Cor 5:1-5) has produced the condition of seeing "in a glass darkly." It is not what we are beholding that is deficient. Rather, it is our vision itself that is inadequate.

Having a "treasure" in an "earthen vessel" not only impacts upon what we can do, but what we are capable of beholding. All revelation is adapted to that situation. The whole has not yet been revealed, and thus we speak and know "in part." This situation is succinctly stated in 1 John 3:2. "Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, deliver me from any tendency to think that, in myself, I am sufficient for such things.

-- Tomorrow: SPIRITUAL GIFTS --