In the last pastor’s message, we began to look at the concept Paul expressed of “going on to perfection”. When you look specifically at the biblical Hebrew and Greek definitions of perfect and perfection you find it includes "without spot or blemish," "complete," "full," "sound," "undefiled," "whole," "mature" and "ripe." Going on to perfection is not easy, the admonition for us is that we cannot be or become sluggish and apathetic in our spiritual growth. A sure sign of growing in maturity is endurance, but this is not passive waiting. Paul urges diligence in becoming perfect and complete, reminding us that we can not expect to escape what Christ Himself endured, learning perfection by the things He suffered. We also saw that we cannot withdraw from people and still develop the necessary relationship skills required to be perfect or mature in this sense. When we consider this and look at our own lives to evaluate where we are in the process of “going on to perfection”. What are the fruits of perfection? How can we judge our progress toward it? Let’s again go into scripture to analyze how we are doing.
Once again going into Christ’s explanation of the parable of the Sower we find: “Now the ones (seed) that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones (seed) that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:14-15) The parallel account in Mark 4:9 includes "the desires for other things." We must recognise this represents both sinful and non-sinful activities. The point here is that even too many of the “harmless” activities or desires will “choke” the good fruit-bearing activities. Most of us easily become too busy and we need to evaluate and simplify our lives. It’s also so easy to get caught up in the politics, causes, or issues that have been thrust into the spotlight during this pandemic. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by all that is going on in our society which can so easily happen; refocus on those things that are eternal. What do your thoughts and conversations focus on (Philippians 4:8)? Each of us must evaluate: is my spiritual life being choked with all the “cares” of this world? Am I bearing Godly fruit with patience? What about peace? “Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37). Is the direction of my life producing peace? We’ve talked a lot about being a peacemaker; are my thoughts, words, actions bringing me closer to my brethren or are they causing friction, discontent, perhaps even separation? “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).
There is a lot that can occupy our thoughts currently it’s critical to evaluate ourselves. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:2-3). What direction am I being pulled in? “…the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” Acts 3:16b). Do we think too highly of ourselves? Is there soundness in my thought process? Do I consider all within the Body of Christ as I ought to (1 Corinthians 11:29)? But let patience have its perfect work, (why?) that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). That is our goal: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words” (Hebrews 13:20-22).
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2). We need to be so diligent to watch our words, guard our thoughts and be ready to receive God’s Word which “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy3:16-17). We all lack something, I am often reminded when I write these messages of what Christ said to the rich young ruler: Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21) These verses we have looked at here can help us quickly check how we are doing as we “go onto perfection”. Is the direction of our life producing peace, soundness of mind, patience, faith, and good works? Is our tongue (which includes all we may post on social media) under control? Are we learning and developing Godly fear? Are we still fearful of physical things that may manifest themselves around us? Perfect love casts out fear! (1 John 4:17-18) The young rich man who had kept God’s commandments from his youth had to be willing to give up what was dear to him and truly follow Christ. All of us have something we lack, something perhaps we need to give up; “going on to perfection” is difficult (but not impossible) to produce!
Perfection, as used in Scripture regarding everyday life, means becoming mature and complete. We can all certainly attain an increasing level of spiritual maturity, yet we cannot truly complete the process until changed—until our human nature has been totally changed “at the sound of the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Only then can we reach the stated goals of being perfect "as our Father in heaven," having "the mind of Christ," bringing "every thought into captivity," and never uttering a wrong word. (review Matthew 5:48; Philippians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 10:5; James 3:2). Though the apostle Paul urges us all to “go on to perfection”, he was admittedly not completely there himself. He struggled to leave the past in the past and pursue the future. We all struggle, not one of us is as yet perfect. I beg you all remember your brethren; not one of them is perfect yet either and we must be supporting one another on this journey as we all progress at different speeds. Whatever knowledge, understanding or gift you may have (or think you have), without love it is nothing (1 Corinthians 13). Love keeps no record of wrongs; one cannot be forgiving when keeping a record of past wrongs. If we are keeping record of other people’s wrongs, then we are not going to find ourselves in a position of being forgiven ourselves (Matthew 6:14-15). Colossians 3:13-14 also ties forgiveness to love: “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Spiritual maturity, refusing to keep a record of wrongs is a clear expression of God’s love and forgiveness; and it does indeed build and ultimately bind us together in unity. Growing in spiritual maturity is at its core intimately tied to growing in agape love and critical to walking worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1).
Paul, a prisoner of the Lord (as we all are) reminds us that part of this process is maintaining a humble attitude—a mind ready, willing, and seeking after the prize of the high calling of Christ. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:12-15). Always be reminded, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6) “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:22-25).
Speaking of the faithful in Hebrews 11 we find such a comforting reminder: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:39-40). All who have gone before us on this lifelong journey towards perfection are waiting in their graves for you and me; we will all inherit God's Kingdom together!