The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Perfect"
As mentioned in yesterday's message regarding James' statement that God does not instigate sin or even tempt to sin, we know that He cannot act in any manner that conflicts with His perfect moral integrity (James 1:13). He never has. He never will.
"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).
A personal aside. As I typed Moses' affirmation of our Lord's perfection of character and doings, I realized I have never memorized this verse, despite having more than 50 years of opportunity to do so. I plan to change this, beginning today. I share this because no passage of Scripture more defines who our Lord is and what He does (and indeed, what He cannot do). God can only be who He is, and He can only act in accordance with His fundamental character, nature, and way. This evokes perhaps the primary meaning of "God is holy," namely, that He is perfectly and eternally sanctified to the quality and substance of His being (Psalm 99:9).
How vital is this truth? Consider if it were not true. There would be no one to trust in this lifetime, or ever. No heart would beckon to us in perfect faithfulness, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness" (Psalm 41:10). Life would no longer be life, but merely a fleeting moment wherein, rather than living and waiting to be glorified, we are merely existing and waiting to die. Thankfully, the truth is true, meaning that there is Someone to trust, Someone who "cannot lie," and who will perfectly be today who He was yesterday, and who will perfectly be tomorrow who He is today. "I am the Lord. I change not" (Malachi 3:10).
We must be sure this altar stands sure and strong in our hearts, whereupon we sacrifice any notion that conflicts with, "As for God, His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31). Eternally, infinitely, and pristinely perfect. We will better know this in the life to come, although complete comprehension of our Lord's flawless integrity will never be possible to our understanding. Presently, we make this one of the most fundamental elements of our faith. We affirm that every thought, every emotion, every purpose, every word, and every act of God has been, is, and will forever be motivated and guided by a righteousness that allows no hint of flaw, sin, or error. As the Apostle Paul exulted, "God cannot lie" (Titus 1:2; emphasis added). Nor can He do anything other than that which accords with the marvel and wonder of who He is. Perfect.
"The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works."
(Psalm 145:17)
"Thou art good, and doest good."
(Psalm 119:68)
Weekly Memory Verse
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation."
(II Corinthians 1:3-4).
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