The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Perfection and Imperfection"
God has forever dwelt in pristine and absolute perfection.
"As for God, His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31).
"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He" (Deuteronomy 32:4).
This raises an interesting inquiry. How does a perfect divine Being relate to imperfect human beings? How does He reveal Himself and communicate in a way we can comprehend? How can He fulfill His perfect purposes amid the imperfections of those who fall far short of His standard? Certainly, regarding our need for forgiveness and justification, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus answers the question. Through Christ's perfect work of our sins imputed to Him on the cross, and His righteousness imputed to those who believe in the new birth, our Heavenly Father made a way to be both "just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:26). In this holy light, perfection and imperfection unite in Christ through the grace heralded by the Psalmist: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10).
In a more technical sense, however, mystery remains in how we relate to a perfect being. We can know some, and we can know more. But we can never know all of how God works in history, and in our story. Questions regarding why, how, what, when, and where will therefore reside in our minds throughout our earthly lifetime. Knowing this will go far in maintaining a healthy humility in our hearts, and interestingly, strong conviction. Our Lord reserves genuine confidence for those who rejoice in what we can know, and who rejoice no less in what we cannot. This helps us to remember, as a dear friend often says, "God is God, and we ain't!" (thanks, Wayne!).
Nothing of greater benefit can grace our understanding. We were born as members of a race of beings that early in our history bought into the devilish lie that "ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). No, we won't, not now, not ever. "Thou art God alone" (Psalm 86:10). So, we accept the mystery of a gloriously perfect God far beyond our full understanding, but whose wisdom in making a way to relate to imperfect beings draws us to the altar of wonder and amazement. We will find no better place for our hearts, and no more powerful a sensibility to maintain therein.
"The King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen."
(I Timothy 6:15-16)
"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
(Deuteronomy 29:29).
Weekly Memory Verse
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Timothy 2:1).
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