UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL PERFECTION

UNDERSTANDING (SPIRITUAL) PERFECTION – Ephesians 4:11-16.

And he gave some, apostle; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

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;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him (Christ) in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Emphasis mine.)

Glory to God… amen!

The main business of the Christian walk on earth is not to make heaven but to grow into the Image of Christ… unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Papa God meant us to be little Christs – to be representatives of Christ on the earth… walking in the same dimension of faith, wisdom, love, power, authority and anointing just like the Lord Jesus when he was this side of eternity… (See Revelations 21).

The disciple is not above his master: but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master. (Luke 6:40). Emphasis mine.

The whole essence of the Christian life is to be like Christ in ALL THINGS, in ALL WAYS and ALL DIMENSIONS OF LIFE and LIVING.

Glory to God! 

… somebody once remarked, “All of life on earth is a dressing room for eternity”… how resoundingly true! Even in the light of the scriptures. God (Christ) is coming for a perfect church at His second coming! The only reason I believe, He’s not here yet is that the church (Greek word: Ecclesia) is not made perfect yet!

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present everyman perfect in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:24-28. Emphasis mine

(Note the word Perfect.)

Note that it is the perfect Church- the perfect Christian(s) – (Greek word: Ecclesia) that will rise to meet the Lord Christ at His coming.

1John 3:2 says:

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him (in his likeness); for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure. (Emphasis mine.)

The church the Lord is coming for must have taken on his image (Christ’s) at his coming.

Perfection is the Lord’s will for the church; it is possible and must be the desire of every born-again child (son or daughter) of God.

The function of the ministry gifts (the fivefold offices) is for the perfection of the church Ecclesia, for the work of the ministry and the edification of the church Ecclesia; till we (the church Ecclesia) come  (develop into… grow into…) in faith and knowledge… a perfect man, and measuring up to the stature of the fullness Christ… i.e. measuring up to Christ in faith and knowledge… having such faith and knowledge as Christ had or has… that we be no more children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Glory to God! Amen… But speaking the truth in LOVE… grow up to him in all things. (Paraphrased.)

THE PLACE OF …LOVE

1Corinthians 13:8-12

The raw materials from which the ministry gifts were created are;

   1. The Gift of prophecy

   2. In the place of prayer- precisely praying in the spirit (tongues.)

   3. The gift of Knowledge.

… All of which Brother Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit says faileth or are going to fail. 1Corinthians 13:8-12

Charity (LOVE) 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.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come (in us), then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child (in other words: “imperfect”), I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man (in other words: “when I was made perfect”), I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass darkly: but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Emphasis mine.

The point is, the ministry gifts’ operations comes to an end with the perfection of the church Ecclesia and is replaced by the “gift” of LOVE or charity with which the body herein made perfect edifies herself.

Am I saying perfection is possible without love? No! Because without love none can see God! If we want to see the manifestation of God in our world (lives) and literally see God, we must have not only to walk in love but also to live in love… for love is of God and God is love. See 1John 4:7&8.

The ministry gifts works hand in hand with Love, grows together with love until it grows old at the perfection of the church to be replaced by love but then y’know love must have witnessed and partaken of all the works of the ministry gifts… literally. LOL!... just like a couple living all the way till one’s gat to go be with the Lord… the other continues with the job, that’s all! You get the picture? Yeah!

At perfection, the Spirit of Love (God) takes over the operations of the ministry gifts and we’d be literally enraptured in God’s love as we speak the truth in love.

1John 4:12-13

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit (of Love). Compare Romans 5:5.

Colossians 3:14

And above all these, put on charity (Love), which is the bond of perfectness. Emphasis mine.

1Corinthians 8:1

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

We grow in love day by day and then with exercise as we practice love, that’s why Brother Paul says, “Follow after charity (Love)”. 1Corinthians 14:1. It’s only those who follow after Love that’ll attain unto Love, in other words: it is those who have the earnest desire to walk in love that’ll be empowered and enabled to do so… faith works by love, so love works by faith. See Galatians 5:6. Therefore make daily a conscious effort to walk in love, desire spiritual gifts (read 1corinthians 12:4-11) and desire alongside a deep craving to prophesy, in other words, earnestly desire the gift of prophecy; for he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation and comfort… and he that prophesieth edifies the church (you and me). See 1corinthians 14:3&4b.

Hallaluya! This is a convenient place to stop for a while… this serves as an introduction to understanding what it is to be made perfect – PERFECTION. Next time I’m going to start teaching from the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians… en’ we’ll see how far God’s Hallowed Spirit is going to take us.

I pray the Lord by His Precious Holy Spirit create in you a burning desire to walk with God unto all pleasing, open your understanding to understand the mystery of the cross and cause you to prosper in all dimensions of life and living as He did while here on earth as He cause you to flourish in His Love. Amen. 

SHALOM, God’s peace!

@Rev. Richie ’Bidemi Olu-Davies. Nigeria.

All quotes from the scriptures were taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.