When will I be perfect Lord?
(Scripture reference 1-Corinthians 13: 8 – 12)
I am troubled about how many Churches falsely teach that the above scriptures say that the Apostle Paul is saying that the “Perfect” will have come with the completion of God’s word the Bible. The truth is that the word of God has come and is perfect but we are not, yet!
The Epistles of the Apostles were given to the early Churches in order that they would understand the Holy Spirit’s work among them. The Corinthian Church was instructed by Paul concerning Spiritual Gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit according to God’s will and the purpose of the gifts was to edify the believers (The Church, past and present). If the gifts have ceased as some teach then where is the edification today, according to those in error, the perfect has come (The completed Bible) edification and all the workings of the supernatural by the Holy Spirit is not needed because the Church has arrived in perfection. How ridiculous, this falsehood is exposed by the word of God! I am convinced in my mind that the problem is that of unbelief which is THE sin that so easily entangles us; many in the Church simply cannot handle the supernatural works of God through the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12: 1 NASB. God’s word tells us that what is not of faith is sin and cannot please God.
How could anyone misunderstand what Paul meant when he said “Face to Face”?
Paul, by saying we see dimly as in a glass was revealing that in these corruptible bodies we have not arrived to perfection, although in our spirits as New Creations we are perfect, joined to Christ, can never sin, always loves God and already seated with Christ in the Heavenlies and blessed with every Spiritual blessing. So we are *complete in Christ and have arrived but not our bodies-yet! The perfect for the body is coming and when we see Jesus** “Face to Face” we will receive our new bodies like his; we will be exactly like him, perfect, no need for gifts or edification.
* So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2: 10 NLT.
**Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1-John 3: 2 NASB.
God’s word proclaims that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! Those who say the gifts have ceased for today I ask; Jesus healed the sick and did many miracles that showed the mercy, compassion of God and his love for his creation, has that passed away?
The Lord proclaimed that we believers would do “Greater Works” because he himself will do them through us, the many. I see the Church as weak today, in much need of the gifts for edification but today many “Quench” the Spirit, forbidding speaking in tongues along with all the other gifts. There is much unbelief and false teaching in the Church that has crept in through ungodly men, the tares (Angels of light?) that Satan has sown among the wheat (Believers). They have brought legalism through their twisting of God’s word and their own commandments. I thank God that he has his “Secret” agents in all Churches who bring light and truth to those whom God loves who have been deceived and held in bondage. It will be wonderful to know as we are known by God, the redemption of our weak corruptible bodies to be replaced by a perfect body like his, free forever from the power and presence of sin, having the mind of Christ perfected in us.
Scripture References:
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 1-Corinthians 13: 8 NASB.
Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 1-Corinthians 13: 9 NLT.
But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 1-Corinthians 13: 10 NLT.
When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1-Corinthians 13: 11 NIV.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1-Corinthians 13: 12 NIV.
Author Ken
December 2013