The Perfecter

(Names of Jesus series)

Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Many people who love to read books typically have a favorite author. Someone whose style of writing, perspective in life, or subject of interest can draw people in with how they relate to life.

For the past twenty years I’ve enjoyed the devotional by Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest”, but there have been many authors who have written books which have drawn me into the same view of life and resonated with me. A.W. Tozer is one who has been at the top of my list, his perspective towards the church and how he viewed the grace of God made his messages timeless.

There are many great authors in this world, but none of them can hold a candle to the author and originator of every christian’s faith–Jesus Christ.

Every work speaks of its author.

Timeless Perfection

Perfection is an ideal that seems impossible to find. Many have tried to reach some aspect of a perfect condition by looking for the perfect look, perfect career, perfect painting, or any other ideal that is considered valuable.

On their own, imperfect people cannot attain perfection.

We cannot draw clean water from a contaminated well unless we have some way of purifying it first, nor can we attain perfection from our own sinful hearts.

The world can be likened to a cesspool of sin. Every aspect of Creation has been made futile by the fall of man. No one can rise above the filth of a wretched condition and present themselves as pure and holy before the Lord, the stains would be a constant reminder of the past. No matter how hard someone tries to meditate, or change their way of thinking, the inevitable reality of mankind’s position before a Just and Holy God remains the same.

Jesus came to purify a people for His own possession.

Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

The good news for the lowly and those without merit is how Christ sees the destitute. Everyone stands as lawbreakers before the Judge of the Earth. Sure, some people have broken far more laws against God but that doesn’t prevent them from approaching Him. If we thought we could stand justified or gain more favor with God by comparing ourselves to others, we would be placing ourselves in God’s position of authority. Self-justification meets reality when we hold ourselves up to God’s Holy Perfection and see ourselves woefully short.

The bad news for those who refuse to accept their lowly position will be the harsh reality of their conviction on the day of judgement.

How can anyone relate to the words of Jesus as He encourages people toward perfection?

Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

When Jesus issues this command, He isn’t dangling an impossible apple before the eyes of those who are starving. It would be cruel to make an ideal that was impossible to attain. To the contrary, Jesus stands at the opened gate of freedom and says, “come forth, my beloved and dine with me”. His call to partake at His table is issued to the lost, the hungry, the destitute, the hopeless, and the imperfect. The Shepherd calls His sheep into HIs sheepfold and there lies safety and hope.

Revelation 3:5 “The one overcoming thus will be clothed in white garments. And I will never blot out his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

For those who accept His call, He exchanges their stained and filthy clothes for a robe of white; and yet the wedding supper of the Lamb is only for those who have been properly clothed.

The Sanctified

There is a paradox within the house of the Lord….

God’s people are made perfect by His grace, but they are being sanctified as they walk in His perfection.

Why do perfect people need to be sanctified?

When a sinner humbles themself and repents of sin, God is faithful and just to forgive them of their sin and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

The perfection of Christ Jesus is first bestowed upon the humble and contrite servant, not the servant who lives perfectly but rather the one whose position before God is perfected in righteousness. The stain of sin has been washed away and now made acceptable before the judge.

The sanctifying work of the Spirit of God transforms the believers life into the image of Christ and out of the filth of the world. The believer is prepared to edify Christ through the working of the Spirit on a daily basis. The Lord makes His people holy (sets them apart) by giving them His perfection. 

2 Timothy 2:21 “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

For sanctification to start, perfection must first be established.

God’s Will

The way of the Lord is without error. God’s nature is revealed in the path of His leading. In other words, if you want to truly know the Lord, you must walk in Him.

How do we know His perfect will?

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

When you forsake the ways of this world and allow God to transform your mind into His image, you will be able to discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect.

How do we allow our minds to be transformed?

Colossians 3:2-4 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

We must make a conscious decision as to what we are going to think upon in the morning, focus our attention on during the day, and dwell on in the evening. If every part of our life is conforming to God’s image, we are aligning our lives with His Word.

Everything in Christ is perfect and is made perfect…

• Every perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17)
• Every trial leads toward perfection.(Hebrews 2:10)
• By the Fear of God He leads. (2 Cor. 7:1)
• All His ways are perfect. (2 Samuel 22:31)
• God’s laws are perfect. (James 1:25)
• God’s original creation was also perfect. (Gen. 1:25)

One day, God will restore the perfection that He intended for His creation, the curse of sin will be gone, and all that will remain will be holy unto Him.

If you want to experience perfection now, seek Jesus the Perfector of faith with all your heart, mind, and strength….He will not only transform your life, but He will also be your protector, guiding you as you go.

The joy God’s people experience today is but a dim reflection of what is to come, what they see in part now will be revealed in perfection when He comes.