DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS, STRIVE FOR PERFECTION (PART2)

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi 
   Whenever God speaks of perfection He isn't referring  to 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 cannot 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 are very offensive, abusive and cannot be trusted with leadership role because of their destructive tendencies. The scriptures says an immature christian should not 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. A church pastored by a baby Christian will be filled with unstable Christian filled with hatred, immorality and bitterness. 
           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, open display of arrogance and disrespect for persons in authority, 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 cannot 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 is not 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. 
     Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me for my sins against you. I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation. I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace for excellence in Jesus' name. 
Prayer / counseling + 2348098536911 + 2348035536911 Email : Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 
Pics credit. Pixabay