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 13 of 17

THAT WHICH IS IN PART DONE AWAY

When the "perfect" comes, that which is "in part" will be "done away." What is "done away?" For one segment of Christendom, it is the gift of prophesy, the ability to speak in divers languages, and knowing apart from natural processes. It is true that these abilities are, by their very nature, to be terminated. If he is speaking about the segments of Divine revelation that were uttered and written prior to the compilation of the Scriptural canon, they were not "done away." Rather, they were incorporated into Scripture.

Things that are "in part" will be "done away," like the night passes with the dawning of the day. There is a very marvelous depiction of this principle in Scripture. They are all apparent, and serve to shed some light on the passage under consideration.

THE PERFECT CIRCUMCISION

Take, for example, the "covenant of circumcision" made with Abraham (Acts 7:8). That was a very real covenant with very real requirements. In Genesis 17:9-14, the Lord commanded Abraham to circumcise every man child in his household. The act was to be performed on the eighth day on every male child born in his house, or purchased as a slave. That act was "a sign of the covenant" between Abraham and the Lord (Gen 17:11). That requirement continued through the period of the Law, with the Lord Jesus Himself being circumcised on "the eighth day" (Lk 2:21). After Christ's exaltation to the right hand of God, another circumcision was instituted. It was a circumcision "of the heart," and was a fulfillment of God's promise through both Moses and Ezekiel (Deut 30:6; Ezek 11:19-20). This heart-circumcision is called "the circumcision of Christ" (Col 2:11). It is the perfect circumcision of which the former was but a type. When this perfect circumcision came, the one that was "in part," or merely a shadow, was "done away."

The circumcision given to Abraham, and codified in the Law, was a different kind of circumcision. That is the nature of a "shadow," or that which is "in part." The "perfect" circumcision was superior because of its nature, thereby obviating the need for and relevance of the introductory circumcision.

THE PERFECT SACRIFICE

Under the Law, sacrifices for sin were obligatory. Although commanded by God, they did not please God, for they left those offering them defiled (Heb 10:6). They were shadows of a greater and more sacrifice to come. By that very circumstance, they were "in part," and not intended to continue. Notwithstanding that condition, they remained in place until "the Lamb of God" came into the world to take away sin (John 1:29). When Christ, "our Passover" (1 Cor 5:7), was offered "without spot" to God (Heb 9:24), the "perfect" sacrifice had "come." At that point, sacrifices "in part" were "done away.

Again, the sacrifices offered under the Law were of a different order than the "perfect" sacrifice of Christ. They did not fulfill the ultimate intention of God, which was to take away the sin of the world. Nor, indeed, did they satisfy the hearts of those offering them. Because the "perfect" sacrifice met those appointed objectives, the sacrifices that were "in part" were "done away."

THERE IS MORE

Time does not allow the development of other thoughts on this subject. You should know that the tabernacle under the Law was also a "type and shadow" of heavenly things -- something "in part." When Jesus entered into "a greater and more perfect tabernacle," the one that was "in part" was "done away" (Heb 9:1-11).

There is also the office of the high priest under the Law. That too was a shadow of the greater High Priesthood of Christ. When Jesus became the perfect "High Priest," the priesthood that was "in part" was "done away" (Heb 8:1-4).

There is even the matter of the Old Covenant itself. It too was "in part," being but a type of a greater covenant to come. The inauguration of that new covenant made the previous one "old," and it began to vanish away (Heb 8;13). Again, when the "perfect" came, what was "in part" was "done away."

There is an appointment looming on the horizon of eternal purpose--a time when "that which is in part" will be totally "done away." Completed canon or not, we will remain intimately acquainted with imperfection until that time. Those who imagine that everything about God has been revealed only betray their ignorance of Him. God has revealed "all things pertaining to life and godliness"--but there is more to our God than that. There still is not a person who has plumbed His ways and thoroughly measured His purpose (Rom 11:33). There is still "hidden manna," "the tree of life," and "a pure river of water of life" that remains to be more fully explored and experienced (Rev 2:17; 22:1-2). The existence of "that which is in part"--in any degree--is itself the confirmation that what is "perfect" has not yet come.

One valuable lesson to be learned from this circumstance is this: Do not become riveted to the temporal. Whether it is the things of this world, or even a coveted spiritual gift, you cannot afford to become attached to something that will pass away. Cast your anchor upward, inside the veil (Heb 6:19). Look forward to, and develop, appetite for, "that which is perfect." It is coming!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank Your through Jesus for informing us of what is coming and what will pass.

-- Tomorrow: WHEN THE PERFECT COMES -- MATURITY --