Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, June 8, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-08-2018

This is devotional thought number 53 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 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. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:14–16).
If you are perfect, spiritually mature, and full-grown think this way. What way? I am so glad you asked.
Some people get all antsy when the “P word” is mentioned in spiritual circles. That word is perfection. Paul made a wonderful case for perfection in Philippians 3. There’s no doubt that God already made Himself clear when He said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). “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.” (Hebrews 13:20–21). “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.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). I could go on, but let me stop here. There is no need to be fearful or concerned about biblical perfection. Self-righteousness is not perfection. Spiritual pride is not perfection. Nobody is innately perfect. Every passage of Scripture that enjoins perfection demonstrates the Source of that spiritual completeness and maturity. The Source is God.
Therefore, Paul invests the first section of Philippians 3 in showing the contrast between humanistic so-called perfection, which sets up its own standards so this farce of perfection can be easily attained, and then moves the line to preclude others’ perfection. He talked about having achieved the human standard for perfection, self-delusion, and boasting, which he finally counted rubbish when he met Christ. He realized that all his human efforts apart from Christ were worthless, and warned against following those who formulated their own standards of perfection.
Here’s the blessing in the contrast: God has given us the benefit of exchanging self-righteousness, which leaves us incomplete and exposed to eternal damnation, for the righteousness which is of Christ, by faith. We can accept the inherently perfect life of Christ as a covering when we confess and forsake all our sins and humanistic efforts. And, as long as we do this, our Christ-centered perfection is assured.
I respect you too much to drag you through a fruitless theological debate on perfection. Know this: God give His completeness and spiritual maternity to all who daily surrender their will to Him. Submitted persons forsake all forms of sin, as He gives us His strength, and help others in whatever way He instructs. And thus, we can find peace and confidence in God’s perfect work in our lives until Jesus comes, “That he might present it [us] to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27).
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)