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 17 of 17

CONCLUSION

The Lord never departs from His agenda, i.e., His "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11). That objective is "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph 1:10). Nothing is "perfect" or complete until that purpose is realized! To put it another way, the "perfect" has not arrived until that determined unity has been accomplished.

Apostolic doctrine always points in the direction of God's revealed objective. Every aspect of it is associated with the culmination of all things in Christ Jesus. To adopt a view of God's Word that falls short of this objective is to "wrest" the Scriptures. Often this is to support favored dogmas, or even to avoid corrupt ones -but it is never acceptable!

Until the Lord comes, and everything is united in Him, we are shut up to partiality. We will not reach a point in this world where we "apprehend that for which we have been apprehended." Notwithstanding that condition, faith constrains us to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). The "saved of the Lord" cannot be fully satisfied with "partial" things. Tasting of the Lord creates an insatiable appetite for unrestricted fellowship with Him and personal perfection. We long to be divested of limitations and move beyond the border of partiality. This will be realized ONLY when God's "eternal purpose" is fulfilled in the unity of everything in heaven and earth in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:10). It only remains for the "perfect" to come. Until it does, we have, at the best, only the "first fruits."

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You again through Jesus Christ for the prospect of better things!

--Tomorrow: WHEN MEN REASON WRONGLY --