What does Scripture mean when the word, "perfect" is used? If we
are not careful, there may be a tendency to think of "perfect" as with-
out flaw, in the negative, in the positive we think absolutely complete.
We know in nature there is no such thing as absolutely complete or
without flaw, for as one gets closer to a thing there is always a slight,
but real inconsistency showing. So, perfect, complete, or sancti-
fied, in our experience on this earth, will always be relative; however,
in the Lord's sight, as He sees us He sees not us, but the perfection,
maturity, completion and sanctification of his unique Son, Jesus Christ.
What do we do with Scripture calling for perfection or sanctification
on the part of the believer or follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ?
In Genesis 6: 9 we find, "...Noah was a just man, perfect in his gene-
rations; Noah walked with God." When we understand this, we recon-
cile it with Scripture in Romans 5:19, "For as by one man's disobe-
dience (Adam) many were made sinners..." Because of the sin of
Adam, Noah was a sinner and anything but perfect. Continuing in the
passage:
"...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
(Righteous means sinless in the sight of God and in a practical
sense, without flaw in the sight of God and mankind.)
Therefore, Noah and anyone who will be "perfect," is made that way
because of the obedience (death on the cross) of the perfect Savior,
who was God but was made a man. In Hebrews 5: 8-9 we read,
"Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which
He suffered, and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all that obey him." Was there a flaw in the Son of God?
God forbid; He had to suffer death on the cross; everything relating
to his incarnation in order to identify with us, making him the perfect
sacrifice. Perfect means more than to be without flaw. It also means
means well fitted, as a piece cut to fit in wood work, where the initial
piece will not fit. The second is perfect, but must be fitted to the first
though the first is flawed. Though our Lord Jesus Christ is "...one
with the Father" He chose to submit to death on the cross to pay the
penalty for my sin... (and yours.)
Hebrews 2:10-18, This would not have been possible had he sin of His
own. (Even in His incarnation, He is one with the Father.) Where it is
possibleble, it is best to refer to our Lord in the present tense, since
He is always the same, never changing. His incarnation might be the
exception? He did that for us. Now He is now returned to being with
the Father. You will note that the Son is "Perfect" still, even in his
incarnation. During the incarnation (on the cross) the Father turned
from the Son on a temporary basis for you and me. God the Father
does not, cannot, countenance sin, even when it is on His Son.
The word, "perfect," also means mature and is included in the sanc-
tification process of each believer. Although we may be perfect in the
sight of our Lord in view of his sacrificial death effecting our atone-
ment, we are still far from perfect in fact, since we are flesh and blood.
He is dealing with our sin nature and the process of maturity or sanc-
tification is ongoing. Not one of us is perfect or mature in any sense.
Romans 4: 3-8, kjv
"For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the
reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justified the ungodly, his faith is coun-
ted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessed-
ness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without
works;
Saying, 'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sins is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord
imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile."
Psalms 32: 1-2, see Romans 4: 8
We might summarize this principle this way; our perfection or
completion, maturity or sanctification are in process and is the
business of God. He brings things into the lives of his children to
effect this work. We will discover in the process; that the Lord is
always just in his dealing with us and whether pleasant or unplea-
sant, we must not complain about our lot. For who of us knows
which happenings of life are authored by our Lord to bring about
perfection, completion, maturity, sanctification for our ultimate
good and benefit to the Kingdom of God. There are no conflicts
in our lives just apparent conflict. As my Lord empowers, I will
refrain from complaining or grumbling and learn to accept every-
thing that comes my way as from the hand God.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many bre-
thren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified. What can we then say to these things? If God be for
us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8: 28-31 (Read the complete chapter...)
I am awe struck when I consider just what Jesus Christ has done on
my behalf, is doing on my behalf and will yet do for and in me. Can
we claim any part in this work, except to submit to him in everything
and fall on our faces in thanksgiving to our Lord.
Romans 5: 1-6, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulation: knowing that tri-
lation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh
not ashamed; because the love of God is spread abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us, for when we were yet, with-
out strength, in due time Christ died from the ungodly." You and Me
PRAISE THE LORD!!! donporter 5.07.13, edited 2.08.17
are not careful, there may be a tendency to think of "perfect" as with-
out flaw, in the negative, in the positive we think absolutely complete.
We know in nature there is no such thing as absolutely complete or
without flaw, for as one gets closer to a thing there is always a slight,
but real inconsistency showing. So, perfect, complete, or sancti-
fied, in our experience on this earth, will always be relative; however,
in the Lord's sight, as He sees us He sees not us, but the perfection,
maturity, completion and sanctification of his unique Son, Jesus Christ.
What do we do with Scripture calling for perfection or sanctification
on the part of the believer or follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ?
In Genesis 6: 9 we find, "...Noah was a just man, perfect in his gene-
rations; Noah walked with God." When we understand this, we recon-
cile it with Scripture in Romans 5:19, "For as by one man's disobe-
dience (Adam) many were made sinners..." Because of the sin of
Adam, Noah was a sinner and anything but perfect. Continuing in the
passage:
"...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
(Righteous means sinless in the sight of God and in a practical
sense, without flaw in the sight of God and mankind.)
Therefore, Noah and anyone who will be "perfect," is made that way
because of the obedience (death on the cross) of the perfect Savior,
who was God but was made a man. In Hebrews 5: 8-9 we read,
"Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which
He suffered, and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all that obey him." Was there a flaw in the Son of God?
God forbid; He had to suffer death on the cross; everything relating
to his incarnation in order to identify with us, making him the perfect
sacrifice. Perfect means more than to be without flaw. It also means
means well fitted, as a piece cut to fit in wood work, where the initial
piece will not fit. The second is perfect, but must be fitted to the first
though the first is flawed. Though our Lord Jesus Christ is "...one
with the Father" He chose to submit to death on the cross to pay the
penalty for my sin... (and yours.)
Hebrews 2:10-18, This would not have been possible had he sin of His
own. (Even in His incarnation, He is one with the Father.) Where it is
possibleble, it is best to refer to our Lord in the present tense, since
He is always the same, never changing. His incarnation might be the
exception? He did that for us. Now He is now returned to being with
the Father. You will note that the Son is "Perfect" still, even in his
incarnation. During the incarnation (on the cross) the Father turned
from the Son on a temporary basis for you and me. God the Father
does not, cannot, countenance sin, even when it is on His Son.
The word, "perfect," also means mature and is included in the sanc-
tification process of each believer. Although we may be perfect in the
sight of our Lord in view of his sacrificial death effecting our atone-
ment, we are still far from perfect in fact, since we are flesh and blood.
He is dealing with our sin nature and the process of maturity or sanc-
tification is ongoing. Not one of us is perfect or mature in any sense.
Romans 4: 3-8, kjv
"For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the
reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justified the ungodly, his faith is coun-
ted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessed-
ness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without
works;
Saying, 'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sins is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord
imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile."
Psalms 32: 1-2, see Romans 4: 8
We might summarize this principle this way; our perfection or
completion, maturity or sanctification are in process and is the
business of God. He brings things into the lives of his children to
effect this work. We will discover in the process; that the Lord is
always just in his dealing with us and whether pleasant or unplea-
sant, we must not complain about our lot. For who of us knows
which happenings of life are authored by our Lord to bring about
perfection, completion, maturity, sanctification for our ultimate
good and benefit to the Kingdom of God. There are no conflicts
in our lives just apparent conflict. As my Lord empowers, I will
refrain from complaining or grumbling and learn to accept every-
thing that comes my way as from the hand God.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many bre-
thren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified. What can we then say to these things? If God be for
us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8: 28-31 (Read the complete chapter...)
I am awe struck when I consider just what Jesus Christ has done on
my behalf, is doing on my behalf and will yet do for and in me. Can
we claim any part in this work, except to submit to him in everything
and fall on our faces in thanksgiving to our Lord.
Romans 5: 1-6, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulation: knowing that tri-
lation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh
not ashamed; because the love of God is spread abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us, for when we were yet, with-
out strength, in due time Christ died from the ungodly." You and Me
PRAISE THE LORD!!! donporter 5.07.13, edited 2.08.17
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