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 16 of 17

KNOWING AS WE ARE KNOWN
"Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor 13:21).

Although I addressed this subject in Lesson #9, some additional remarks are necessary. When the perfect comes, we will know as we are known. Paul spoke for redeemed humanity when he said, "Then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Cor 13:12, NIV). Let it be clear that Paul's spiritual knowledge would not be brought to its fulness by the completion of the New Testament canon, most of which he himself wrote. Neither, indeed, could he be referring the experience of believers in this world later on in history. Concerning the Gospel of Christ, and what could be known of it in this world, Luke said he "had perfect understanding of all things from the very first" (Lk 1:32)--and he was not an Apostle. In our text, we are dealing with something infinitely larger than a base of knowledge available to men in the flesh.

The coming of the perfect will bring about the completion of the transformation experience now occurring in the people of God. "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 from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18, NASB). What a grand and glorious experience for the "elect," when the "perfect" comes! Then, the inheritance for which they are being prepared will be possessed. Then, the richness of Divine fellowship into which we have been called will come to its maturity. The frustration associated with knowing in part will forever be removed for the faithful. A sense of longing, produced by partiality, will pale in the glory of being "like Him."

We have the completion of God's testimony for men in the body--"the record God has given of His Son" (1 John 5:10-11). But there is more to come. Sin has taken more from our race than men dare to imagine. It has dulled our capacities and limited our abilities. Even "inspired utterances" are often "hard to be understood" because of human infirmity (2 Pet 3:16).

But it will not be so in the world to come! There, we will "know fully as we are known." Christ has apprehended us for something--and it cannot be fully realized while we are in the world. Paul expressed it this way, "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12, NASB). When the "perfect" comes, we will lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of us! Hallelujah! Is there a reasonable soul that imagines Christ laid hold of us so we could have a Bible with sixty-six books? Away with such absurdities! The Word of God is our appointed resource to ready us for the inheritance--but the word itself is not the inheritance.

Until the perfect comes, partiality is with us! It is part of the "wretched" condition brought on by the entrance of sin into the world (Rom 7:23-25). Deliverance is on the way, but until it comes, we cannot advance beyond "partial" in appropriating the things of God. That condition is why, in this world, we receive only the "firstfruits" of God's "great salvation."

Whatever you know, and however thoroughly you may know it, you still "know in part." The Lord knows everything about you, but you certainly do not know everything about Him, or about what He has said. Scholar or not, you do NOT know as you are known! Nothing about you is hidden to God, but countless things about Him and His revelation are presently hidden to you!

As long as this condition exists, the "perfect" has NOT come--regardless of the claims of finely tuned theologies. Hear the words again. "Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood" (RSV). He does not say when the perfect comes I will BEGIN to understand fully. Neither, indeed, does he say when the perfect comes it will be POSSIBLE to understand fully. When the perfect comes, full understanding will come with it. Faith longs for that time, giving an appetite for the truth, and a longing for full understanding.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in Jesus for the wonderful expectation of coming perfection.

-- Tomorrow: Conclusion to Series --
-- Friday, New Series: THIS ONE THING --