Sunday Bulletin – 08 September 2024

Reverend Wilfred Lim | Sep 08, 2024

Dear worshipers of the Most High,

What is the clear goal of the apostle Paul’s preaching, warning and teaching? – Perfection.

“But no one is perfect!” many will protest. Biblically, that is incorrect. The Perfect One testified Noah and Job as being perfect men (Genesis 6:9, Job 1:8). The apostle James revealed that the person who does not stumble in word is perfect (James 3:2). The apostle Peter encouraged those suffering in the faith that the God of all grace will perfect them (1 Peter 5:10). The Hebrew writer directed us to leave the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ and go on to perfection (Heb 6:1). Our Lord Jesus expressed it most plainly, “you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Therefore, perfection is a God-ordained goal in our earthly pilgrimage.

Biblical perfection has many facets, and one of them is completeness. The journey of Israel out of Egypt, passing through the wilderness and finally reaching Zion inside the Promised Land is a picture of perfection. When we complete what God has started in us, it is perfection. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Some Christians are like the generation that died in the wilderness and never reached perfection. They gave up half-way. Offence, unbelief, distractions, hardship, temptations and the love of the present world were common causes of their journey towards perfection being shipwrecked.

Another aspect of perfection is to be mature in Christ. Just as the Son and the Father are one, we are to be conformed to the image of His Son (John 10:30, Romans 8:29). The apostle John classified the spiritual maturity of the Christians into 3 categories – little children, young men and fathers (1 John 2:12-14). Some Christians are happy just knowing God superficially, instead of pressing in to know Him intimately and to possess all that the Father has for them. They are contented in drinking the milk of the word and never progress to the eating of solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:2).
We are to come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

Biblical perfection is also to be without spot, be upright and undefiled. The Bridegroom Jesus Christ is without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). The glorious church that He is coming back for is without spot or wrinkle but is holy (Ephesians 5:27). This is the Bride that is ready for His return (Revelation 19:7-8). Contrary to the hyper-grace doctrines that permit the church to live in sin, the glorious Church and Bride of Jesus Christ is to be undefiled. The Bride in the Church is perfect.

Beloved saints of God,

As we see the day fast approaching, take the word of God seriously, for it is able to perfect us. “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 complete (perfect, KJV), thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Shalom,
Rev. Wilfred Lim