Have you ever noticed that – in our western society at least – most of our desire and motivation is for ” something perfect ” ?
That is why we buy ” new ‘- new things , new fashions , new improvements on old ways . They are in a trend – line heading up – ward to – ” where ? ” ; to the ” perfection ” we want but never seem to achieve .
Do you want ” the latest model ? ; ” new and improved ” – Have you bought into that advertisement ?
Do you still want satisfaction , even after reaching your goals ?
What is that ” seed of imperfection or dis – satisfaction ” that we all have ?? Remember the song ” I can’t get no satisfaction ” . It is so pervading that every – one understands – deep in their spirits – the need and its’ meaning instantly , around the world . Even you !! and me .
Have you ever heard some – one say ” I am not perfect ! I am only human ! ” ?
Perfection is a goal we all want ; a goal we don’t have now.
Even globally,( which is the only measurement by which God should be judged ) in the “Eastern Pantheistic Monisms”, according to the book “The Universe Next Door” by James W. Swire -Inter Varsity Press, Illinois,”88- Chapter 7 is introduced ” And all the voices,the goals, the yearnings,sorrows,pleasures, good and evil,all of them together was the world,the great song of a thousand voices consisted of one word: OM-Perfection.”
Anywhere where self-indulgence such as meditation, chanting, bell-ringing , abstaining from work, and other useless pursuits only lead to a downward spiral of poverty and lack, which is the opposite from perfection. What people really need is something personal that has over-come this world: We believers know what that is! (A previous Blog ” Resurrection”).
Regarding the Bibles ‘ description , One source ( 1 below ) says ” in the N T the common form of perfect is ” telois ” ; this is an adjective formed from the noun ” telos ” meaning ” an end “. This allows ” perfection “ to be understood as being the successful attainment over time of the end or aim of being .”
This definition perfectly describes the” still un – folding plan , over time, of Gods’ work and purpose here on earth , ” until the full number of Gentiles has come into the K O G. ” Rom 11: 25 . You , dear reader, are counted as one of these . Amen !!
This is exampled in Phil: 3 : 12 ff ;which Christ Jesu ‘ not that I have already obtained perfection , but I press on to take hold of that for which God took hold of me ” .
The Greek for this word can mean an end , completeness , fulfillment , or maturity . From an NIV bible translation .
Mature believers know that there is only one thing ” perfect ” . This is ” God ” ; Deut.32 : 4 and ” His way ‘ ; 2 Sam. 22: 31. Also stated as ” perfect ” is The Law Of God , and Noah . Israel was to be perfect . Believers are meant ” to be presented perfect in Christ ” – Col 1 : 28.
An example of the deep need for perfection and satisfaction of people is Acts 17 : 23 when Paul was in Athens . He finds that the Athenian religious leaders ensured that all the gods were being worshiped by having many shrines in the city saying : ” to an un known God ” . This ensured there was no vengeful God left out .
They had an imperfect faith ; they weren’t satisfied or perfect . Despite their pantheon of idols and Gods ; and despite their own vain opinions , knowledge , and philosophy which ” puffed them up ” , they sill wanted more . . . Jesus came to give us more ; a more abundant life . Jn 10 ; 10 .
There is a God – shaped vacuam in – side all of Gods special creation of humanity . Universally , people appease this emotional need by elaborate rituals of worship . But Man – made idols of stone or gold ; or of the shiny glass and plastic gods of today , in the shining temples of shopping centers cannot give
back adequate assurance . We need a living savior! ** explained in a previous blog ” Victory “.
Often we become what we worship . Hard hearts of stone or glossy thin veneer is the result .
In Heb. 7 : 11 states that perfection could not be attained or enjoyed under the Old Covenant with Aaron and the Leviticus priesthood because the Law made every one imperfect . It was to be found in the new priesthood of the order of Melchizedek : whom ” The Book Of Psalms 110 : 1-4 ( written approx. 1000 BC ) ; says is a forerunner of the priesthood of JESUS . ( a previous blog ” Proclaim the Good News ” expands on this ).
The solution for our constant need for perfection and satisfaction is Gods’ command ” Be reconciled with God ” . in 2 Cor 5 ; 20 .
Don’t keep Him distant any longer ! Come near to Him ! Forget your independence , pride and vanity – all the destroying lies of the enemy – and pray to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation and invite Him into your heart . It doesn’t matter what situation you find your – self in Jesus will hear you . Become the man or woman Jesus wants you to be .
In 2 Cor. 5 : 21 , ” He made Him Who knew no sin ( because He was perfect in every way ) , to be sin for us , for our sake ; so that we might become the righteousness of God . ( this is also stated in Isa. 53 ; 12 – ” He was numbered with the transgressors ..” in approx. 720 BC ) You enjoy more peace when you are appointed by God to be His perfect ” righteousness ” on this earth .
” We were chosen in Him to be Holy and blameless in His sight before the beginning of this world . ” Eph 1 : 4 .
To satisfy this predestination we believers – despite our remaining humanity – search for Godly perfection ( we were , after all , ” made in His Image ” ) : people need Jesus . He is ” the Prince Of Peace ” Isa. 9 : 6.; ” and the peace of God which cannot be under – stood , will guard your hearts and minds in Christ
Jesus . ” Phil. 4 : 7. In John 14 : 27 ” peace I leave with you ; My peace I give you … do not let your hearts be troubled …”.
He gives His followers ” His Peace ” . This has occurred through the generations down to us now . Praise the Lord !
” If any – one obeys my word , Gods’ love is truly made complete in Him . ” 1 John 2 : 5 .
God is ” Love ” . It is only un – saved people that don ‘ t have this love . Even God has a ” love – relationship ” in Him , in the trinity or God – head . He states ” this is my son , whom I love .” He also has the fellow – ship of the Holy Spirit , as pictured in the authority of the Great Commission ; ” in the name of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit . ”
He is not alone as if sitting on the pointy end of a pyramid on top , feeling lonely and imperfect . No ! ” God is love . If anyone lives in love , he lives in God and God in him . In this way Gods’ love is made perfect ( or complete ) among us . ..” 1 John 4 : 17 .
Rom. 5 : 8. ” But God demonstrates His own love for us ; while we were still sinners ( and imperfect , full of pride ) Christ died for us “.
Rom. 5: 11 ” …we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have received reconciliation . ” This includes His Perfect Peace – we share in the triumphant , super – natural and resurrected Spirit of God ( who conquered this world and its sin and imperfections , including death ).
2 Cor. 3 : 17 – 18 ” Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom ! ( from ” worry ” included ). ..and we are being transformed into His likeness ( of perfection ) with ever – increasing glory …”. We are leaving the old man and the old ways behind and coming into the perfect love and life of Christ .
” But once when we were dead ( and dis satisfied and corrupt ) in our sins and the un – circumcision of our own fleshly nature . He made us alive ( IE sharing with Jesus the power of the ” Resurrected Life together ) with Him. ‘ Col 2 : 13 . This explains the extra joy and peace enjoyed by Christians.
” Finally , brothers and sisters , Good – bye . Aim for perfection ( ” Godly perfection and righteousness ” ) , listen to my appeal ….live in peace . And the love of God and peace will be with you. ” 2 Cor. 13 : 11.
When will we have that ” Perfection ” , that ” satisfaction ” ? – that we all want ?
At the end of our journey . When we go to meet Jesus ” in the air ” .
2 Cor 15 : 42 ff ” We will all be changed ” .
” We are sown in corruption ( imperfection / dis honor from our earthly father .) ; we will be raised in in – corruption ( perfection / glory ) by our Spiritual Father.”
” In our earthly life we carry the likeness of earthly – imperfect – man . In our spiritual life we will carry the likeness of our perfect spiritual Father from heaven . Then we will be worshiping our God with a mighty host of angels and saints , in un – imaginable light and sound in perfect peace and joy. !! Amen .
Bibliography
The Living Bible Encyclopedia ; H. Stuttman & Co. , N Y .