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Luke 8:14-15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (KJV)
I compare the verses above to giving a child a grocery list, then waiting to see what they come back with. Instead of paying attention to detail they get sidetracked with other things, and then when it comes time to give an account of their duty, well they don’t deliver. Patience is an interesting word also because it refers to consistency; those that continue to endure despite the obstacles that life may present them with. Those that mature in Christ learn how to be over comers and not underachievers in life; and if they do run into hardships they are quicker to hear the solutions and slower to speak or blame others. Matthew 24:11-13 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV) How about the child that gets sent to the store with a handful of money, then along the way someone realizes that they have an opportunity to take advantage of the situation? So the child decides that something else that they purchased, which ends up to be worthless, was more appealing than what the parent had sent them out for in the first place. Your salvation is not just based on starting out with good intentions Church; it’s what you bring home at the end is what will determine the final outcome. Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV) Many people compare their lives with other people, trying to live up to their standards or even trying to please them, even to the point of where it becomes more of a priority than the Lord. If you measure yourself with other people then you limit what the Lord can do in and through you. If you compare yourself with Christ, operating with the same measure of faith that He did, then you put yourself in the category of where all things are now possible, because you believe more in the work that He has done than on what many around you are claiming they have done. Philippians 1:4-6 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV) My prayer today for each and every believer in Christ is that they would build a trust and confidence more in the work that our Lord has begun and desires to continue to do, and less in the guilt trips that they take, thinking that there is something they haven’t done. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 3:1-3 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (3) Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. (KJV)
I get a bit riled when I hear so called men of God telling me what they think rather than teaching what they know, or should know according to the Word. James is writing and warning the believers not to be like many of those that are teaching things which are not based on fact but rather on self serving fictitious perversions of the truth. Those that know how to speak the truth in love are those that our Lord considers mature, and who are a perfect example of the true believers in Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:8-11 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) There are a lot of prophecies that are failing to come to pass because they are not based on truth, but rather on some partial understanding of it. Many of these false teachers say things to appease the people rather than teaching them who they are in Christ and how to grow and mature in Him. I personally have noticed that many enter the ministry work before they really grow up and have a clue of reality and what is really happening around them. Many of these childish preachers live in a sheltered existence and then get knocked on their backside when reality hits them in the face; kind of like a spoiled little child that doesn’t get their way anymore. Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV) When Jesus Christ walked this earth He raised the bar to the heavenly realm of how He expects His people to mature and grow up into Him. However, as I look around I see where many have lowered this bar back to the realm of the flesh, and what should be spiritual mature people is nothing more than a day care center. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) Hey quit thinking so much about what you believe works with our Lord and just show up daily letting Him show you what works. Think of yourself as the clay and our Lord the potter, and let Him take you for a spin. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 37:37-38 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (38) But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. (KJV)
When you see the term ‘perfect’ used in the Bible it refers to maturity; complete is another way of describing it also. When one thinks of maturity as far as a Christian is concerned you think of someone who is at peace and not fussing and fighting with those of the world, being all wrapped around the axle with the cares and concerns of this petty temporal life that we are now surrounded with. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV) In the military they don’t take a new recruit and immediately promote them to the rank of a general, rather they promote those that have experience and have proven themselves in times of trials and tribulations. Basically what is being spoken of in the above verses is that in order to move forward in your walk with the Lord it is His way or no way. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) Strongs definition for ‘perfect’: 739 artios (ar'-tee-os); from 737; fresh, i.e. (by implication) complete: KJV-- perfect. The Lord expects His people to grow up maturing in the realm of the Spirit. Those that do grow are those that have exercised their Spiritual senses, and know the difference between what is of God and what pertains more to the fleshly carnal desires. A child will react to things because it is what appeals more to their own self rather than learning to respond in a way that our Lord would have them respond, in Spirit and in truth. Is the peace of God ruling in your walk today? Because…in all reality that was God’s perfect solution for you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:3-8 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4. By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 5. For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution or determination, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6. And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control (in knowing the truth there is self-control), and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety, commitment & obedience), 7. And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection (laying down your life), and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love (Christ formed in you). 8. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full, personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). AMP
These are all attributes or characteristics of the divine nature which was formed, brought to maturity, within Jesus of Nazareth. He decreased by dying daily to the wants and desires of his fleshly nature (the nature of man) so that Christ (the attributes or characteristics of God) would increase and over take the old corrupt fleshly nature. Jesus Christ left us an example to follow: to put off the old man, and put on of the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of Him who created you, and to do this continually. As you do these things (put off the old, put on the new) the more you see who God is; you begin to understand His nature through experience in your own life in Christ; you begin to understand His love, His grace, and His mercy for us and how lovingly He provided us the way of fellowship with Him, and escape from this corrupt and dying world through Jesus Christ. As you do these things you will not be blind to the truth, the full personal knowledge of God and Jesus Christ who He sent; and you have His promise that you shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:9-12 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (KVJ) My beloved brethren, I pray that you will continue to make these qualities yours and let them increasingly abound in you, so that you are not idle or unfruitful in your walk but that you do come to a full personal knowledge of the truth that is in you. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. (KJV)
Travail is a result of being a bit out of tune, not in the place you need to be, or not in the time frame our Lord intended for it to be carried out in. You may have heard the Lord make a promise to you, or you have prayed about something, now it is a matter of waiting for it to manifest, even though you may think God didn’t hear you or is ignoring you. Isaiah 25:8-9 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. 9 And it shall be said in that day, lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (KJV) Sometimes salvation is a waiting process, where you are wait on the Lord before moving forward. The world we live in today is just the opposite, where we go through the drive through section and get what we want right away which is usually not too healthy. You should not be chasing anything in this life, but should be waiting on the Lord and allowing His blessings to catch up and overtake you. Sometimes the reason you don’t see the answer manifest is because you are running a bit ahead of the Lord and His perfect timeline. Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) Many today fall short of where God would have them to be in His body of believers, because rather than wait for Him they take off running in the opposite direction. Have you ever encountered a project that required some prep work, measuring ahead of time before doing the building? You know where you got a bit impatient and wanted to see results, only to find out that you have to start all over again because of your lack of patience. The more you got ahead of the project the more frustrating it is because you could have saved yourself a lot of time and energy by doing it right the first time. Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (KJV) Faith and patience is what accompanies perfection, and is a course that you want to stay on so that you can be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV) Just a reminder Church, you won’t find your answer in the outward realm anymore, rather your faith now needs to be in that which is unseen. Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. (KJV) Substance is a spiritual concrete that will hold the building up and keep it from being blown over so easily with contrary winds of doctrine. The evidence of your faith will be found in the realm of the Spirit and not the flesh. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (KJV) Isn’t it time for you to experience this perfect peace for yourself? After all that is why God sent His Son. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 8:14-15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (KJV)
Have you ever been excited about something and were gung ho, only to lose interest and end up chasing something else? Many people are like that who are caught up in exterior events and are ruled by emotions. So when the emotion or the honeymoon is over, so is their commitment. However, you will find that perfection or maturity is usually accompanied by another word, and that would be patience. In other words you can’t have one without the other. Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV) Have you ever let off the gas so to speak because it doesn’t appear like much is happening, well at least not outwardly? You get a bit frustrated because things just didn’t materialize according to your timeline? It can happen when you lose faith and start leaning back to your own understanding. In fact the enemy gets a bit louder when you get close to a victory in your life because he sure doesn’t want to see you cross that finish line. You’re not going to let that happen are you? James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (KJV) Of course there is going to be opposition in your walk, especially as you continue to move forward in Christ. Your faith will go on trial and the enemy will do all he can to discredit you and get you to back off again. It takes faith to let patience have its way, because the flesh is tempted to push the panic button and make things happen sooner rather than later. However, you realize as you grow and mature in Christ that by taking matters into your own hands it then takes it out of the Lord’s. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) Have you ever seen or heard a double minded person, they have many different directions they are trying to go in at one time. If you happen to see that person staring back at you in the mirror, take a time out and head for the prayer closet so the Lord can enlighten you again. You will not experience His results until doing so, because He is not the author of confusion, but of peace. God bless dearly loved, have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
Salvation is compared to an endurance race, one that is not completed as quickly as we would like it to be. Salvation is a continual growing process and similar to growing up and maturing in the realm of the flesh, you also need to grow and mature spiritually. Your life should be one where you are constantly learning to walk in a new and better realm and not just settling for old things. Philippians 3:10-12 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (KJV) Long distance runners are healthy people who need to continue to exercise in order to compete. Many today are all in when it comes time for the blessings; it’s those sufferings and persecutions they could do without. However, in order to resurrect into a new life you will have to take up your cross and nail whatever area of the flesh is hindering your forward progress. Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV) That word ‘press’ refers to suffer and persevere. You find with runners that the race is not won so much on race day, but on the days leading up to it and how one prepares for it. Every day is not always going to be calm and sunny, and you will need to continue to learn to move forward even in some inclement conditions. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV) Have you ever moved forward in your walk, and rather than continue you desired to go back to where you came from, you know like the children of Israel wanted to do after their exodus from Egypt? You will not find peace and contentment in the old. You need to continue pressing forward into what can be described at times as growing pains; and you will find that your life gets stale and old if you don’t step out in faith and move forward to the place you belong. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (KJV) It’s a lot easier to forget the past and those things which are behind us when you decide to step out and walk in a newness of life. What you find is that you have given the Lord something to work with when you are willing and obedient. So if things are not new and it seems like same old, same old, you need only to look at self to find the solution. Your carnal way of thinking and trying to figure out the Lord is not going to work either. Believe it or not, He doesn’t need your help or input. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
Today the Lord has a perfect plan mapped out for you to follow which sometimes does include chastening. Our Lord chastens His people not out of anger, but in a loving way so that He can work in and through His children. Once you have allowed these changes to take place in the area He is working with you on, our Lord then considers you perfect in His sight despite the fact that we are still fallible beings. Luke 6:33-36 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (KJV) I know you get frustrated at times thinking life just isn’t fair. Well in the outward fallen realm of man it is not fair and will not be until our Lord returns to set things straight. In the meantime you’re going to have to bite the bullet so to speak and rise above what your feelings dictate. The more you operate in the realm of the Spirit, the greater the reward will be in the end. Matthew 7:2-5 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV) Let me ask this question, have you ever been mad about a situation and the enemy attached a physical face to it, like on a dartboard? I found a solution that was a real wakeup call when my reality check kept bouncing. I found the Lord asking me ‘why are you so worked up about a situation when it was something I never asked you to get involved with in the first place’. In other words, two wrongs do not make a right. Maybe the way things played out were not handled right by others which is why the Lord was not leading you in that direction. Sometimes we get torched in relationships and we let that anger continue long after the crash and burn. In the end we find out that there is a big difference between what God joins together and what our lower nature settles for. Matthew 18:26-27 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (KJV) Remember how you started out with the Lord, when you realized you were bought back and redeemed from your slavery to sin? You were looking for some patience and mercy as well weren’t you? Matthew 18:28-30 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owes. 29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (KJV) So how have you handled things since your conversion, are patience and mercy still in play? Dearly loved, have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:46-48 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
When you see the word perfect being mentioned above it refers to maturity. Once you accept salvation as your new found way of life, you find that you can no longer compare yourself to those of this world; rather, the standards you live by are determined by the Lord. As you see above, God’s ways and thoughts totally contradict those we have been brought up with. You also find that in order to maintain peace with God it is according to spiritual maturity, not just reaching a certain age. James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV) If you read the entire book of James you will find the statement being made that we as believers in Christ should learn to be much quicker to hear, and slower to speak. We are encouraged not to be like the many who have assumed the position of teaching doctrines before they hear them first hand from God Himself. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God; however, one of the things that offends our Father the most is false teachings. James 3:3-5 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listed. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindles! (KJV) Only you can prevent spiritual fires that are fanned with winds of false doctrines that are dry and make good kindling. God’s people, those that He considers mature or perfect, are the ones that have rivers of living waters coming out of them like a fire hydrant. James 3:6-8 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (KJV) Your tongue is an extension of your heart; so what you allow into the heart is what will be coming out of the mouth. You cannot tame your heart or keep it bridled without some divine intervention. 1 Corinthians 13:9-11 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) The middle wall of partition was broken down by the sacrifice of our Lord so that we could see and operate with a more mature understanding of how the plan of salvation really operates. You will find that by speaking things you know, and not something that you just hear from others will go a long way toward you maturing in Christ the way He intended to see you, perfected. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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