Perfection or Rejection
- His Servant - Rob McKee
- Feb 22, 2020
- 9 min read
The word “perfection” seems to be a ‘dirty word’ in the world’s majority opinion. It is true that most people will say, “no one is perfect”. They have heard this saying since they were very young (satan made sure of that), and they have applied it to their self-image every time that they ever failed at anything, often using this ‘excuse’ to justify their behavior or other short comings. Well, I do believe that they are forgetting someone that I know: His name is Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior!
Psalms 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Psalms 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.
Let’s define “perfection”
Definition of “perfection” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfection
1 : the quality or state of being perfect: such as
a : freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness
b : maturity
c : the quality or state of being saintly
2 : a : an exemplification of supreme excellence
b : an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence
For the purpose of this discussion, we will focus more on the first course of definitions for this word “perfection” and not so much upon the second definition. The second definition is the one that the world most often applies to the word. However, the bible is usually referring to the first definition when it mentions this word; not always, but most often.
My wife and I were recently looking at different homes. We came across one that was ‘perfect’ for us because it is affordable, meets all of our needs, and has many of the things that we like. Most of all: it is affordable and meets all of our needs, though, is what makes this home the ‘perfect’ choice for us. Does this mean that this same home would be perfect to anyone who comes across it? No, a lot of people probably have a different idea of what the ‘perfect’ home is, right?
Remember the old saying, that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”?
How many here have children that have lived, or do live at home? Have you ever had a child that you asked to clean their room and so they did, and then you went to inspect? What did you find? Sometimes you might not find what you expected? If you were to ask the child, “is this perfectly clean?”, what might their response be? Is/was it perfectly clean in your eyes?
See how “perfection” is a state of judgement that is and can only be defined by personal preference? I found this definition that seems to fall in line with what we are talking about right now. Notice that it refers to the state of perfection also:
Definition of “complete” (as a transitive verb) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complete
1 : to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state complete a painting
2 : a : to make whole or perfect
b : to mark the end of
Let me ask you this: what does God really care about in the life of a man or woman on this earth? What does He ‘prefer’? Does He care if we forget to tie our shoes? Does He care if we can drive a car flawlessly? Play a piece of music without missing a note? What about deliver the perfect speech? And – if we could do these things ‘perfectly’, would they merit salvation in His sight? I do believe that all here can probably agree that the answer to all of these questions is “no”. These things are ‘our works’, and not the work of God. Neither is He interested in these. We know that ‘our works’ will save no one; it is the work of God that saves!
What does God think about perfection?
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Are these scriptures talking about tying shoes, driving cars, etc.? No – they are referring to being complete in God’s holiness.
Definition of “holy” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy
1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
Can you see where God’s Word is taking us in this?
1 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is this simple where God is concerned: perfection = holiness = righteousness = godliness = complete = saved = A Son of God = Born Again = A New Creature in Christ = sanctified = whole = (shall I go on?)
What is the opposite of God’s holiness?
1 John 3:5 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.
Is perfection without sin, really attainable in this life? Remember that God came to restore mankind back to the state that Adam was in at creation; He came “to redeem us from all iniquity.” Well, let’s see what God’s Word has to say about it…
Ezekiel 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfectin his generations, and Noah walked with God.
2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 8:20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will He help the evil doers
Psalms 18:32-35 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of thatman is peace.
Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they 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.
1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought
2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Colossians 1:25-29 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 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, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God
Hebrews 13:20-21 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 wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.
1 Peter 5:10 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.
Who is Christ coming back for?
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Before or after He returns? Work that He has given us to perform, or work that He will do once He returns?
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
And, what if we have failed to obey Christ, and to allow ourselves to become perfected by His Word?
Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Luke 13:24-28 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Here is the thing that the world does not understand or acknowledge:
They will quote scriptures that say we must believe in Jesus Christ – and we do! What they do not realize or acknowledge is that Jesus Christ is The Word of God. The man Jesus shed His perfect blood for the New Testament scriptures/covenant – and not just some of it, but every word of it! If you do not believe in perfection, you will not seek it. -Plain and simple, right? Well, God’s Word says that we must be perfected. Who do you want to believe man or God? Would you believe your own thoughts and feelings over His also?
Romans 3:3-6 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Why do others judge them that proclaim God’s Word and what it says about perfecting of the saints?
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Comentarios