STRIVE FOR PERFECTION, NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS
Hebrew 6:1-2 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
The word 'perfection' in this text is the Greek word 'teleios' and it means :to be complete in labor, growth, mental and moral character, to come of age. What this implies is that the Christian goes through a growth process spiritually, intellectually, morally and in character and finally comes of age in spiritual matters.
The scriptures describes the teachings on the need to repent from dead works, faith towards God, the need for water and Holy Ghost baptisms ,deliverance and impartations by the laying on of the hands, questions on the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment as belonging to the class of the spiritually immature.
Apostle Paul speaking to the church in Corinth said in 1 Corinthians. 3: 1-2 "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." this implies that there are certain provisions by the spirit of God that a christian cannot access due to spiritual immaturity. The Corinthians were engrossed in denominational-ism, they concerned themselves with inconsequential issues like which pastor dressed and spoke better, whose church was better equipped and larger, who had more of this and that : they were shallow in their spiritual disposition.
The depth of the foundation of a building determines how strong its walls and how glorious it would be , therefore,it shouldn't be compromised with poor materials and engineering . A weak foundation leads to cracks in the wall.
When a marriage has a weak foundation, it is prone to suffer cracks. There are two types of foundations in the building of a home, there is the circular foundation which seeks and thrives on pride and fame and secondly the bible- based foundation which seeks and thrives on stability. Most Christians while trying to be trendy have ended up building faulty family foundations based on the world's system. This system is a selfish system and doesn't glorify God. God isn't interested in any marriage that committed to promoting non-biblical ideals. God's singular purpose for a marriage is that through it souls will be saved in to God's kingdom (Malachi2:15) therefore, if a couple isn't involved directly or indirectly in soul winning ; it is indicative of a faulty foundation; it is easier to develop faith to overcome life's challenges when couples are actively involved in winning souls for God's kingdom .
This underscores the importance of growing spiritually, it determines a person's strength to face life's challenges. We cannot pray troubles away, they are part of life. The scriptures says in Proverbs 24:10 "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Our strength is determined by how much spiritual responsibilities we are willing to take on and this is what leads to perfection .
When God speaks of perfection He isn't referring excellence in a human endeavour, this is were a lot of folks miss it , such thinking leads to pride and that's why the highest cracks in homes is among the elite in the church because they keep allowing worldly knowledge interfere with the scriptures. We can't interpret scriptures in the light of the world's wisdom, it is the other way round. The scriptures gives illumination to the human heart revealing its intentions.
The spiritually immature is very offensive, abusive and can't be trusted with leadership role because of their destructive tendencies. The scriptures says an immature christian shouldn't occupy any leadership position in the church, 1Tim.3:6 say "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." appointing spiritual novices into sensitive spiritual offices leads to the destruction of families and dreams A baby christian pastoring a church is like putting a two-year old child in charge of a military armory.
This was the case with the pastors of the church in Corinth, because of their immaturity incestual relationship became a norm in the church, there was a case of mother -son sexual relationship ( 1cor.5:1-6) and the church leadership did not frown at it. The church of Christ is under self-afflicted wounds because of the misappropriation of the doctrine of grace by immature Christian leaders .
Speaking to the church in Corinth Paul said in 1cor 13:11 "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." This underscores the need for Christians to strive for maturity, many marriages and businesses are in trouble today because of the childish tendencies of the parties involved, childishness is synonymous with over-dependence , noise- making, disorderliness, wastefulness, improper time-management, complaints , fear, lack of boundaries, spending more than what one earns, unforgiving attitude, disrespect for or lack of biblical family traditions, unwarranted movements and the lack of a sense of continuity and sustainability.
Stability is the hallmark of Christian perfection . This is attained through a commitment to acquire the requisite knowledge and wisdom for victorious living. The scriptures says in Isaiah 33:6 " And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure."
KJV this means the power of God for peace and stability is manifested through wisdom and knowledge. Jesus Christ has been made unto us wisdom (1Cor.1:30) therefore the more of Christ a person knows, the more stable he or she becomes. Jesus is the word of God (John1:1-2,14) and it is through the Holy scriptures that we receive wisdom , Paul speaking to Timothy, a young minister said in 2Timothy 3:15 says "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." The power for the stability of a marriage lies within the pages of the holy scriptures .Marital and business stability can't be achieved through money,sex, fasting and prayer but through faith, love and wisdom. Wisdom has no substitute and it is the byproduct of perfection.
Spiritual immaturity reduces us to the level of children , they are easily manipulated , the scriptures says in Galatians 4:1" Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;"we suffer abuse and are easily exploited by false teachers of the gospel when we refuse to press for perfection that's why we are admonished in Ephesians 4: 14 "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;" it is pathetic seeing God's children being tossed to and fro in the public domain in the name of 'deliverance' ,this isn't scriptural, Jesus never did that to anybody, He simply spoke the word (Matt.8:8,Mk 7:25-29, Mk9:25, ) God wants people to be treated with dignity ,1Pet 2:17 says "...honour all men.." A life of perfection is a life of honour.
As you make Jesus your lord and saviour and read this now receive grace for perfection and honour today in Jesus name.
Prayer / counseling + 2348098536911 + 2348035536911 Email : Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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