I
– PERFECTING THE HEART – 9
As we come to the end
of this series, let us consider the definitions of perfect and perfecting. Something perfect is an extreme degree of
excellence, pure, complete, mature. Perfecting
requires action on our part in striving to become perfect. Perfecting will achieve actual accomplishment
with the end in view.
Paul’s situation helps
explain the path to perfect out heart.
It is a process and is not obtained at once. Neither is it obtained by only our doing.. Phil.3:9 Righteousness is a great part of
perfection. This comes from God. Our part is our faith in Jesus Christ and our
obedience to Him. 2 Cor.5:21 It is an
exchange. Jesus has taken our sin on
Himself and in return has given us any righteousness which we have.
The process
continues. Phil.3:12 Paul realized he had not yet attained but in
the process, he presses on. Phil.3:13,14 This is important for us as well. Just as we do not have righteousness of
ourselves, our power to go on to perfection is provided by our Lord. 1
Pet.5:10 He will perfect,
confirm, strengthen, and establish you. If
we stay close to our Lord, we should never say, “I can’t”.
As we reach for
perfection, we realize that the goal may be different for various individuals
as they receive differing gifts or abilities from the Lord. 1
Pet.4:10,11 This should encourage
us; however, never let it be used as an excuse.
God knows our capabilities and we are to develop them as we work for the
Lord. Col.3:23; Heb.13:21
We are certainly
blessed to have this help from the Lord for without Him, we can do
nothing. Jhn.15:5 Yet it takes a
great deal of effort and faith on our part.
Jam.1:4 We can have a great desire to perfect
our heart but do nothing to achieve the perfection. We cannot stay “babes” in Christ. Heb.6:1
Our effort must continue in every aspect of our Christian
lives. The early Christians continued steadfastly
(continually devoting) in apostles’
teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Acts
2:42 To continue in these we need
to be where saints are gathered together.
Heb.10:25 We are stimulated to love and good deeds. Heb.10:24
Our heart must be
infused with the fruit of the Spirit. Gal.5:22,23 These qualities are of the Spirit and if
we live by the Spirit, we must walk by the Spirit. Gal.5:25 As we walk by the Spirit, our thoughts
become an instigator of what we do and say.
What we hear and see provides the subjects of our thinking and what we
think, we are. Prov.23:7 Scripture gives
us a beautiful filter for our thoughts. Phil.4:8
This filter must ever be before us as we watch, read, listen. These pictures and thoughts that are brought
to our mind aren’t for the moment. We
might think they are very insignificant but they sink deep into our hearts only
to return in a flashback.
As our heart is being
perfected when we live by the Spirit, passions and desires of the flesh are
destroyed. Gal.5:24 Our heart can be
divided if we reject the things of the Spirit.
Pride divides our heart. We think
we know without God’s help. Lk.18:14
Another divider is jealousy and selfish ambition. It is all for “me”. Jam.3:14 We should know we are in trouble when we
have a love for money. Matt.6:21
Can we honestly think we are perfecting our heart if our tongue is
not controlled? Jam.1:26 Too often the
estimation of self is not in keeping with God’s who knows our hearts. Lk.16:15 If we let our heart become divided from
our goal of perfection, we are spiritually in trouble and need to get back on
track. Gal.3:3
In gaining perfection,
thankfulness is an absolute. How we are
blessed by God! Eph.5:20 Notice that this
is “always” and for “all things”. Our prayers are not complete without
thanksgiving for the small things and for those things that are great. Phil.4:6 God blesses but His will is that we
thank Him. 1 Thess.5:18
Occasionally some will
think the act of baptism culminates their responsibility of obedience. That is only the beginning. Obedience to our Lord is important in every
phase of our life. Even Christ, the Son
of God, was obedient. Phil.2:8
We are to have that same attitude.
Phil.2:5 Every thought we have is to be in obedience
to Christ. 2 Cor.10:5
Does our lack of
forgiveness deplete our goal of perfecting our heart? Matt.6:14,15 Hopefully, not one of us would say we
don’t need God’s forgiveness, yet we hold on to grudges and things of the past
that we refuse to forgive. Heb.9:22
We have been showered with forgiveness as Jesus, shedding His blood,
died on the cross. We need to perfect
our ability to forgive completely in our heart.
Eph.4:32
In perfecting our
heart, we can become proud. Rom.12:3
We need to beware of this tendency.
We have been given what we are able to be and do. It is not of ourselves. 2
Cor.3:5 Perfection of the heart
could never be obtained if we are not steadfast. 1
Cor.15:58 We dare not falter from
our faith. We want to be able to take
hold of eternal life for we know not when.
1 Tim.6:12
Although much of the
perfecting of our heart is of the inner man, there is work to do. 1
Jhn.3:18 Our love for God and
others is expressed in deeds. We are
God’s instruments to be used for Him. Rom.6:13
Although we are not saved by works which we have done (Jam.2:17), we were created for good
works. Eph.2:10 We should never
grow weary of doing good works. 2 Thess.3:13 It is encouraging to know that God knows
and will not forget. Heb.6:10
In times of difficulty, remember that we work for God and not
man. Col.3:23
So many times we feel
as if we are not up to the task ahead.
The words of Paul encourages us in this respect. 2
Cor.12:9 We can’t underestimate the
power within us. 1 Jhn.4:4 As we come to the
end of our life, whether in death or when Jesus returns, may we be able to say
with Paul, I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the course, I have kept the faith as I pressed on to
perfect my heart. In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to
me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2
Tim.4:7,8 Our pursuit of perfection
will then be over.
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