It had been a place of ultimate beauty and perfection but now Eden was closed to all humans. God drove Adam and Eve out of Eden and a cherubim with a flaming sword guarded the way (Genesis 3:24) to the tree of life. Why was that necessary? Because (Matthew 11:12) violent men try to seize by force the kingdom of heaven – trying by their own efforts to regain perfection. But the King of the kingdom of heaven said – I am the DOOR, I am the WAY, I am the only ENTRY. We and this world will never be perfect but groan, fall and fail (Romans 8:22) until REDEMPTION. Between the locked gates of Eden and redemptive restoration there had to be a CROSS. For us who have come through the gateway of the Cross into eternal life, what did God mean when He (Matthew 5:48) told us to be perfect? James dangles a carrot (3:2) by telling us that anyone who controls his tongue is a perfect person. But then he snatches it away (Vs:9) by declaring that no one can control his tongue. Take a look at some of the well-knowns in Scripture:
Abraham lied (Genesis 12:13) – his son Isaac lied (Genesis.26:7) – his grandson Jacob lied (Genesis 27:19) – 10 of his great grandsons lied (Genesis 37:32) – and foolish young Joseph bragged about his dreams and incurred the hatred of his brothers (Genesis 37:28) and the rebuke of his father (Genesis 37:10). Moses spoke unwisely (Numbers 20:10-11) at the rock. David told his servants (2 Samuel 11:4,8) to get Bathsheba for his lust. James and John asked Jesus (Luke 9:54) if they should call down fire on those who rejected them. Peter declared (Matthew 16:22) that there would be no Cross for Jesus. Paul and Barnabas had a (Acts 15:39) no-holds-barred verbal fight.
A lot of tongue wagging. Does this indicate that we have no hope of God honouring speech or does it prove something else altogether? Yes! Yes! Yes! It proves that in our flesh (Romans 7:18) dwells no good thing BUT we can choose to yield our members to the righteous outliving of the indwelling Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We need a broader perspective. We know that only Jesus is perfect and will reveal His perfections through us. But not in one fell swoop – for us attaining unto perfection is a process which requires full surrender. For example – Jesus will use a yielded tongue and voice to speak His words so that our speech (Colossians 4:6) can be gracious, pleasant and winsome. We must co-operate with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18) so that we are constantly being transfigured into the image of Jesus. Let us advance (Hebrew 6:1) to the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. We look forward (Colossians 1:28) to the day when we will see Jesus and be mature, complete and perfect in Him.
If we are aware that God has done something through us – what He accomplishes is perfect – but that does not make us perfect. We need to remember that fact because if we take any of the glory for what only Jesus can do - - we rob God and join Satan’s team. That is what he did – tried to steal the glory and worship which belongs only to the Most High God. He said (Isaiah 14:14) I will be like the Most High. Tried again with Jesus (Matthew 4:9) if You will fall down and worship me. He still seeks worship and sadly – horribly – destroyingly – receives it through false religions and hell-fired satanic rituals. May we never forget where and to Whom all glory belongs.
Recently I was talking on the phone to a dear friend about a situation for which we were praying. I said something and as soon as I said it I realized that I’d never thought or heard of it expressed in that way. The words grabbed my heart and set up camp there. Those words, which surprised me were - - we need to grasp the glory of the perfection of God’s will. Now I’m thinking – what is the glory and what constitutes the perfection? We know, of course, that God is absolutely Sovereign. I the Lord have spoken it (Ezekiel 24:14) and I will do it. He works everything (Ephesians 1:11) after the counsel of His will. Is His Sovereignty all there is, or are there many rich characteristics within His Sovereign Will? The words “counsel of His Will” tell us that Sovereign Wisdom is in His Will. The words “I spoke and I will do”, tells us of the immense, self-fulfilling power of His Words. We know about God’s Sovereign Omnipotence, and Omnipresence. But can Holiness and Grace, beauty and mystery, live together in Sovereign harmony? Assuredly yes! Because without the combination of beauty and mystery - - - there could not have been an Easter Resurrection.
There is Holiness in His Sovereignty – without which His Sovereignty would be terrifying. There is also Justice and there-fore God’s Holiness demands that His sovereignty must include Judgment. Because God is Love, this opens up a whole new landscape where the promise of Judgment includes the judgment with an ample time of warning.
He warned Noah about the Flood and the people for 120 years. He warned Abraham and Lot about Sodom. He sent Jonah to warn Ninevah. Amos was a shepherd in Judah in the south. He was not a prophet or the son of a prophet. But God sent him to Israel in the north to preach and warn them of coming punishment. They ignored the warning and about 40 years later were taken captive by Assyria and scattered through all the nations of the then known world. God sent Jeremiah and other prophets to warn Judah that their horrible sins would be punished severely. But they also rejected the warning and despised God’s prophets. So Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed and the people taken captive to Babylon.
Is God now using COVID-19 to warn our wicked world of coming judgment???? For believers, Dr. Youssef reminds us that we need to (Matthew 14:25-26) recognize Jesus in the midst of the storm.
This does not fully cover the subject – how could it when we are talking about our Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God? But I have seen enough of the far-reaching perfection of His will that I realize the only safe place to live is within His will. If I want to know God’s perfect will for me personally – I must be continually transformed (Romans 12:2) by the continual renewing of my mind.
I had another question so I asked the Lord to tell me. What is the glory of the perfection of His will? He told me that the glory is realized and experienced by us when we recognize the perfection of His will and with loving gladness obey Him.
Resurrection life is the life God gives us. I will give you your life (Jeremiah 45:5) for a prey, a gift of the only life that can be victorious in this world. It is the life that is (Colossians 3:2) hid with Christ in God. I’m seeking the Lord for that hidden life.
Oswald Chambers - - “if we are prepared to abandon entirely to God, He will take us into union with Himself and the life He gives us is the life hidden with Christ in God.”
What does “life hid with Christ in God” actually mean, I have much to learn but I know that it includes genuine humility and instant obedience no matter the cost. To be so one with God that He is pleased (Galatians 1:15-16) to reveal His Son in me. REVEAL – HID! That is the essential - - Jesus revealed and my life so hidden in Him that I am scarcely noticed. If I am OBVIOUS like (3 John 9) Diotrephes how can Jesus be REVEALED? In all things (Colossians 1:18) He must have the pre-eminence.
I see the glory of the perfection of God’s will – but as I pray for the Persecuted Church – I’m beginning to see the perfection of that glory - - - rejoice (Acts 5:41) that you are counted worthy to suffer.
The perfection of the glory is that we can actually be used by the holy, majestic Sovereign of the universe to carry out His will! It is to be filled and flooded (Ephesians 3:19) with God Himself – more and more – there is always more to follow – deeper waters.
Union with God Himself – His perfect will fulfilled in us – the glory of obedience – and precious, ever-deepening, intimacy with the Triune God. That sums up all my ongoing and growing desire. How about you?
When my ongoing desire and choice for my life match God’s unfolding will and purpose for my life - - I am (Romans 8:37) more than conqueror - - only as I continue to seek God Himself – not experience.
Remember – never forget – sanctification is not static but progressive. Not that we have (Philippians 3:12-14) already attained, but we press on to (2 Peter 3:18) grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Deeper and deeper into the heart of Jesus.
