PERFECTION IN CHRIST Perfection is something every child of God desires. The good news of the Gospel is that we now ARE perfect in Christ. In him all iniquity has been forgiven. the sin nature--the "body of the sins of the flesh"--has been cut off from us by the "circumcision of Christ'" (Col 2:11-12). We have been "perfected," or made acceptable, in Christ Jesus (Heb 10:14; Eph 1:4).
Devotion 15 of 15
From another perspective, we are in the process of being perfected, and the process is joyous. with deliberation and resolve, we are to "go on to perfection" (Heb 6:1). But we look forward to the completion of God's "workmanship," when we will be totally without imperfection of any kind. Then every man will be presented "perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col 1:28).
Until the "blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior" (Tit 2:11- 12), we confess with the Psalmist of old, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect" (Psa 18:32). That is a very real experience, and it is within reach of every person willing to put their faith in Christ. Those that so live will have this said of them: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (Psa 37:37).
Our present perfection is owing to our identity with Christ Jesus. There is no perfection of any sort apart from Him. Jesus prayed for we would be made "perfect" in our union with Himself and the Father. "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they (those believing on Him through the Apostles' word, v 20) may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me" (John 17:23). The oneness that perfects is not our relationship to each other, but with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father! That is the relationship justification accomplishes. Anything short of this is not acceptable. Set your mind fully on participating in that blessing!
And now, may "the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 5:23).
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the perfection that is mine in Him. I praise You for the work of perfection that is presently being done in me through Your Holy Spirit. I also confess that I am anticipating the completion of the work, when I shall be presented before You faultless and without spot of any kind.