Not already perfected.

Our imperfections in the flesh can be a real spoiler of spiritual joy. Our awareness of not perfectly measuring up to the standard set before us by Paul to walk worthily of the calling with which we were called is often overpowering. As a consequence, the peace of God does not always fill our hearts and minds. How do we cope with this? We will give twelve points which we hope will be helpful in "endurance and patience with joy" (Col.1:11).

1. As long as we are here in our terrestrial tabernacle, we know that God is not finished fashioning and framing us. From Col.1:12 we learn that our heavenly Father is making us competent for the allotment awaiting us. Thus, let us not run ahead of Him, but let us be gracious with others and ourselves.

2. For reasons best known to God, we have been given only an earnest of His holy spirit and not as yet a full measure. But how good and encouraging to know that we also have been sealed with the holy spirit of promise for the day of deliverance (Eph.1:13; Eph.4:30). Furthermore, we have not been given a full measure of faith, but a limited measure (Rom.12:3). Some receive more than others. That is one reason why we should never compare ourselves amongst ourselves, but be as helpful and lenient as can be, without being presumptuous or condescending. We are all objects of God's grace.

3. The apostle Paul said in Phil. 4:11 that he had learned to be content. This means to us that Paul was not born with that blessing, but that in the "school of God" he had learned it. Some of us may not learn it until the last day in "school." Paul tells us that he also learned a very important lesson spoken of in 2Cor.12:9. What was it? Let us put it this way: When Paul had earnestly prayed for the removal of an infirmity (imperfection), he simply was told, "Sufficient for you is My grace." Pondering what God said to Paul, it dawns on us that this may be called one of the understatements in this evil eon. What more and what better can be granted us, in our infirmities, than to know that God's grace is sufficient? Of course, it is sufficient, because it is God's grace. It is the expression of His love for us. We have been saved by it, are being saved by it and will be saved by it. But what is even more, we are saved in it, never to be out of it again. Saved in grace means to be placed into or inside the sphere of grace. As a fish in the ocean encounters water always, in all its movements, so we, in all our experiences in "school," always encounter God's grace in Christ Jesus, no matter how many imperfections we still have.

4. Since we will never come in this life to that degree of perfection that will allow us to say with honesty that we practice flawlessly the standard set before us, it is very helpful to consider what Peter, as a disciple, experienced when he was granted permission to walk on the water toward Jesus (Matt.14:27-33). As long as He kept his eyes focused on His Lord, he was successful. When he looked at the billowing waves, he became afraid and began to sink. Of course, Jesus saved him. One important lesson to learn from Peter's experience is to keep our focus on the truth as it was revealed to Paul by our glorified Lord and Saviour. The truth will be making us free, also from the frustrations of our imperfections.

5. Yes, as we walk on the stormy sea of life (perhaps too many times with a sinking feeling), we may heed Paul's entreaty...

"Do not worry about anything"

(Phil.4:6)

...that includes, not worrying about the fact that we are not as yet perfect. How may we accomplish this? Simply by keeping in mind that because of the death of Christ we will be presented holy and flawless and unimpeachable in His sight (Col.1:21,22). This is a powerful way to cope with such shortcomings as fear and worry, or anything else that tends to make us aware of our imperfections.

6. Someone has said that we must never look back "when trying to plow a straight furrow." For spiritual maturity it is very important not to look back on any successes or any failures we have experienced. This does not mean to be dishonest and to pretend that we are capable through mental acrobatics to remove from our memory past experiences, good and bad. No, it simply means not to live by our experiences and feelings; but to let God's declarations concerning His grace in Christ and His operation in this administration of grace determine our daily walk and feelings.

7. While we are still in this body of humiliation, we need to comprehend the meaning of what Paul says when he uses the word "reckoning" in Rom.6:11.

"Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to Sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

In Christ Jesus we have died to Sin, and our everyday life may now be reckoned to be unto God because we are perfect in Christ. The standing, or position we have with God is secure in Christ Jesus, and since nothing can separate us from God (Rom.8:31-35), we have very much to encourage us to live by God's success in Christ Jesus. Let us ignore our temporary imperfections. In spirit, we are already seated, in Christ, among the celestials (Eph.2:6). These are the things that really count!

8. Sometimes, we wonder what would happen, if God granted us complete maturity, and mastery over the flesh at this time. Would it not make us difficult to live with? Just suppose that, for instance, we could tell one another that we never worry about anything anymore. Would that not sound conceited and unreal? Would that not make us walk about with an air of self-righteousness? How wonderful and humbling to realize that we are given God's righteousness in Christ Jesus in Whom we are instructed to boast (1Cor.1:31). Perfection in the flesh would rob us of all this.

9. It is more realistic to joyfully pursue that for which we have been grasped. Paul said it so well in Phil. 3:12-14.

"Not that I already obtained, or am already perfected. Yet I am pursuing, if I may be grasping also that for which I was grasped also by Christ Jesus. Brethren, not as yet am I reckoning myself to have grasped, yet one thing -- forgetting, indeed, those things which are behind, yet stretching out to those in front -- toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus."

In this passage Paul plainly acknowledges that he does not consider himself to be perfect. He also states that he is not dwelling on those things that are behind him. And is it not interesting that (as mentioned above under #3) Paul, nevertheless, has learned to be content? He is content because he revels in the truths of justification, conciliation and glorification (in spirit he -- and we as well -- have already been given every spiritual blessing among the celestials in Christ, Eph.1:3). He does not allow his imperfections to make him "uptight". Instead, He is living by the perfection he has in Christ Jesus. This gives him a great amount of energy in the pursuit of grasping and laying hold on eonian life. The marvelous truths he was commissioned to proclaim, plus his constant contact in prayer with the God of all power, wisdom and love, enabled him to live by faith and to cast out frustration. He encouraged us to imitate him.

10. The physical conditions of life can at times be very trying. We are not asked to become unnatural, but the Scripture says that we do not sorrow as the world does (1Thess.4:13). We do groan, yet our groaning is different from the groaning and moaning that goes on in society. We are entreated to do all without murmurings and reasonings (Phil. 2:14), yet the difficulties of life often cause us tears and sadness while we rejoice in the truth that all is out of, through, and for God! We are fully persuaded that all things that are taking place in our lives and in the billions of other human lives, contribute to the universal goal so succinctly stated in 1Cor. 15:28 -- "that God may be All in all". This must mean that we, as creatures, through the experience of good and evil, have to become nothing in ourselves. Creatures can only find true fulfillment and perfect satisfaction by having the Creator as their all, the Creator Who has revealed Himself as Father, and has told us that we belong to His family (Eph. 2:19). How good to know that God is establishing a family relationship with His creatures; not a cold businesslike relationship, but a relationship of intimacy and love!

11. It is very interesting to read in Hebrews that Christ learned obedience by the things he suffered. We do not have to learn obedience but we may learn contentment. And this while we suffer from many imperfections. It is a great relief that we are complete in Christ (Col.2:10), and live by His faith (Gal.2:20). This indeed, is more than enough to help us forget our own short comings, and to be invigorated for positive living. This positive living is to be understood, not merely, as being free from worry (although that is very important), but to rejoice in serving the Lord and to remember that the Lord is always near. The more we rejoice in the Lord the less we worry in our imperfections. That it is important to rejoice is clearly indicated in Phil.4:4

"Be rejoicing in the Lord always! Again, I will declare, be rejoicing!"

as well as in Rom.15:13

"Now may the God of expectation be filling you with all joy and peace in believing, for you to be super-abounding in expectation, in the power of holy spirit."

12. We feel that it is very important to keep in mind that the Great Potter is ultimately the One Who will achieve all these commendable qualities in us. In Eph. 2:10 it says that we are His achievement. In Phil.2:13, it clearly states that God is

"operating in us to will as well as to work for the sake of His delight".

Isn't it marvelous to know that it all depends upon Him to what degree we succeed? This knowledge is invigorating and of tremendous importance in terms of a worthy walk. This helps us to avoid indulging in too much introspection or "navel-gazing". Let us look up, for our deliverance is drawing near!

May these twelve points help us to cope victoriously with the "painful" awareness of not always being able to perfectly walk worthily, to banish worrying, and to bask in the peace of God. These points, of course, are not given as an excuse for our imperfections. On the contrary, we hope that a proper reading of these may be of great help in becoming more involved in pursuing the goal of walking worthily, in the spirit of contentment and true rejoicing in the full appreciation of the perfection we have in Christ Jesus our Saviour and Lord.

Peter Feddema.
pfeddema@rogers.com

Quoted Bibleverses:
Col. 1:12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: " Back

Eph. 1:13"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, "Back

Eph 4:30" And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. "Back

Rom. 12:3"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. "Back

Phil. 4:11"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. "Back

2 Cor 12:9" And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. "Back

Matt. 14:27-33"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. "Back

Phil. 4:6"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. "Back

Col. 1:21,22" And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: "Back

Rom. 6:11"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "Back

Rom. 8:31-35"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? "Back

Eph. 2:6"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: "Back

1 Cor. 1:31"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. "Back

Eph. 1:3"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: "Back

1 Thess. 4:13"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. "Back

Phil. 2:14"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: "Back

1 Cor. 15:28"And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. "Back

Eph. 2:19"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; "Back

Col. 2:10"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: "Back

Gal. 2:20" I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. "Back

Eph. 2:10"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. "Back