"Progress... Perfection

"Progress… Perfection"

   God finishes what He starts.

   "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

   Guided by His character, nature, and "eternal purpose in Christ Jesus", our Heavenly Father executes a work in progress regarding all things, but particularly concerning His trusting children in the Lord Jesus.  Scripture references only the human race as having been created in God's own image (Genesis 1:27).  We possess the capability for spiritual and moral likeness to Him beyond even the angels, notwithstanding their superiority in power (I Peter 1:12; II Peter 2:11).  Thus, we constitute a special undertaking of God's redemptive work, first in the new birth, and then in growing conformity to the Lord Jesus.  The process requires God's ongoing work of grace, and thus, His promised determination to execute the process "until the day of Jesus Christ". 

    Every born again believer will be like Christ in that day "when we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2).  Differences in authority and function will exist based upon our response to God in this life.  "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities" (Matthew 19:17-19). However, in the character, nature, and way of all Christians, God will culminate His work in progress with a work in perfection.  "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matthew 13:43).  Eternity will glimmer with the host of the Blood-washed and Spirit-redeemed serving to reveal the glory of the Lord Jesus as He eternally dwells and walks in us by the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 6:16).  Progress now, as executed by Christ Himself, "the author and finisher of our faith"  (Hebrews 12:2).  Perfection then, also by the Christ whose Light will shine all the more brightly because those in whom He so graciously dwells will be those for whom He so graciously died.  We do well to remember these truths of grace, rejoicing in the faithfulness of the One who always finishes what He starts.

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it."

(I Thessalonians 5:23-24)

"The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

(Proverbs 4:18)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

(Psalm 20:7)