PERFECTION IN CHRIST Lest we become confident in the flesh, we must affirm that we are also in the PROCESS of being made perfect. God is conforming us to the image of His Son in every aspect of our persons, according to His predetermined purpose (Rom 8:29). By faith we experience perfection in our conscience, and acquire an awareness of Divine acceptance. Our intentions and expressions, however, are BEING perfected. It is important to say at this point that the awareness of imputed righteousness is essential to the "perfecting of holiness in the fear of the Lord." No person will be able to "cleanse" himself "of all filthiness of flesh and spirit" that is not persuaded he has been perfected in Christ (2 Cor 6:16-7:1)! The Centrality of Scripture The Word of God plays a key role in experiential perfection, or spiritual maturity. It is not possible to "grow up into Christ in all things" (Eph 4:15) independently of God's Word. This is not generally known in our day. Myriad of people imagine they are growing in the Lord, while they remain abysmally ignorant of Scripture. Preaching the Word is not common in our time. Pulpits across the land spew froth upon the people, robbing them of the precious Word of the Lord. Such things ought not to be! We Enter Into The Work Those in Christ are "workers together" with God (2 Cor 6:1). To the extent we walk by faith and in the Spirit, we participate in the purpose of God Almighty. We have, after all, been "ordained to good works, to walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Increased proficiency in these works constitutes an increase in perfection. This is the process to which James refers in his recollection of Abraham. "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (James 2:21-22). God Is Perfecting Us Through His wise and prudent dealing with us, God is bringing us to full experiential perfection. We are His workmanship, and He is fully able to "finish" what He has begun in us, performing the work until "the day of Christ" (Phil 1:6). How wonderfully this is affirmed to those in the crucible of life. "But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, MAKE YOU PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet 5:10).
Devotion 13 of 15
The Spirit affirms the role of Scripture in our perfection. By "perfection," we mean spiritual maturity; i.e., growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet 3:18). Maturity is not an achievement of personal discipline, although that is involved. Neither, indeed, is maturity an identity conferred upon people because they have been identified with a religious organization for a long time. This is being changed into the image of God's Son (2 Cor 3:18). The Word of God is identified with that process. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (1 Tim 3:16-17). Adequacy to perform every good work is directly related to the Word of God. There will be no spiritual sufficiency or involvement in good and acceptable works if we do not hide God's Word in our hearts!
From one perspective, we have already entered into rest. As it is written, "For we which have believed do enter into rest" (Heb 4:3). That is the sense in which we are already perfect. Yet, there is another aspect in which we have not yet entered fully into God's rest. Again, it is written, "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Heb 4:11). In this sense, we are BEING perfected.
God's people are admonished to seek to be blameless in this world--before God. The Word of God is clear on this point. "That thou keep this commandment WITHOUT SPOT, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Tim 6:14). "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, and blameless" (2 Pet 3:14). "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, WITHOUT REBUKE, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil 2:15). In view of these things, let no professed believer be content with a condition short of these stated objectives!
Again, the Spirit strengthens our faith by affirming the ability of God to finish the work. It is our business to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, MAKE YOU PERFECT in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Heb 13:20-21). Yes, we are being made perfect now!
-- Tomorrow: ULTIMATE PERFECTION --