#NUTSHELL – SEPTEMBER 1st — PERFECT – Philippians 1:6-8: I hear a word being used frequently to describe a situation or circumstance, or outcome; it’s the word “perfect.” The Scripture says aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. “Be perfect,” in the New King James bible it says, “Become complete.” Other translations capture the spirit of Paul’s advice by saying, “Aim for perfection.” We’re to grow daily more like Him who is perfect in every way. This may be news to some—we are not perfect in thought, word or deed. The Bible says that God’s ways are perfect and He is perfect in knowledge (Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 37:16). The law of the Lord is perfect (Psalm 19:17). His love and even His judgments are perfect (1 John 4:18; Psalm 139:22). He is able to keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). We can experience His good and perfect will and enjoy His good and perfect gifts (Romans 12:2; James 1:17). His eternal city, the heavenly Zion is “the perfection of beauty” (Psalm 50:2). Sinless perfection is not possible in our earthly life, but Psalm 138:8 testifies, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” We can aim at perfection, but without Christ our efforts in trying to achieve perfection are wasted. In Christ, “He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Although it is true that we will never achieve sinless perfection until we reach heaven, this should never keep us from striving toward that goal. We can become more like the “perfect One”, Jesus by surrounding ourselves with people who are both honest and uplifting. Paul said, “ I have confidence in the Lord that He can work in you what is pleasing to Him” and what is pleasing to Him is to make us more like Him. Let’s yield to Him as He shapes us.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:01:51 +0000
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