IS CHRISTIAN PERFECTION POSSIBLE Part 5

The wisdom of the fathers

IS CHRISTIAN PERFECTION POSSIBLE?? Part 5

There is a difference between present and future perfection. In his letter to the church at Philippi, the apostle speaks of a perfection in the future, which unless understood may confuse some minds upon this subject. He writes,?“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”*?Here it sounds as though perfection is not attainable in this life, but if we notice the language of the context we can clearly see that he is speaking of?“the resurrection of the dead.”*?It is the resurrection perfection that he here has reference to, which cannot be attained in this life.?

We must wait with the apostle until this?“mortality [shall] be swallowed up of life,”*?before we reach a state of absolute perfection, and with him,?“press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”*?But he says,?“Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded,”*?showing that there is a present perfection which he, with others, has already attained. This is the experience which it is the will of God for us all to enjoy.?“For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”*

Dear reader, have you attained it, or are you yet living beneath your blood-bought privilege?

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

(by William Byers)