Today’s
scripture:
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48)
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
(James 1:4)
Pastor
Mike, I fell again last night going back into sin. I just can’t seem to do what’s
right and stay right with God. I want to be pleasing to Him but when my flesh
is faced with such strong temptation, I just give into my sin over and over! I
pray and quote scripture just like Jesus did in the wilderness when He was
tempted by satan but I still give in from time to time. Jimmy, don’t be too
hard on yourself son. You’re only human. God doesn’t expect you to be perfect. Besides,
we can’t expect to live like He lived because He is GOD! He just did those things
to show us as an example on how to live.
How
often have you heard this kind of conversation? Maybe you have said this as a
confession yourself. Maybe you have even given this type of council when
someone has confessed to you. I know that I have been there on both sides of
confessing as well as giving this kind of council.
Now,
what I’m going to say next is going to rub some people if not most people the
wrong way. Some may question me and say that I’m wrong. In fact, what I’m going
to say goes against a lot of church teachings and church council. Just look at
what scripture says, I mean an honest, hard and deep look at it.
This
type of council is not only wrong but it leads people down a path of never
really living up to the potential God has for them. It also, leads people to look
at Jesus as someone who is unapproachable not able to totally relate to. God
does not and never will call us into something without doing it Himself and
without equipping us fully to step into that which He has called us. “By His divine power, God has given us
everything we need for living a godly life”(2 Peter 1:3).
Now
please understand saints, this is not done by our own power at all. It can’t!
Apart from Jesus, we are as wretched and filthy as they come. It’s not us at
all, Its Him! When our spirit dwells and is intertwined with His spirit we
become one with Him and He lives through us. Jesus is perfect just as the
Father is perfect. This is not a “What would Jesus do” (WWJD) mentality. All
though it is a good question to ask yourself, it is not what our relationship
with Jesus is based on. Our relationship goes much, much deeper. We become one
with Him and it’s Him living a perfect life through us! We don’t have to ask “what
would Jesus do” when we are living a life totally in complete submission to
Him.
Remember,
Jesus gave up all His power when He became a human man (Philippians 2:7). He
did that so that He had to totally rely on God the Father. He was without sin and
did many miracles only because He was constantly getting alone with the Father
and allowing the Father to live through Him. Without giving up His power, the
cross would have been in vain. He had to go through His whole life being one
with the Father just as we are to be one with Jesus.
Now,
does that mean if we continue to fall over and over that Jesus will write us
off? Of course not! One of His strongest messages is forgiveness. But true
repentance will lead you closer and closer to the likeness of Jesus. Not just
likeness of Jesus as if to say we are like Him but again, look at scripture… We
are to be one with Him and Him with us! WE BECOME ONE!!!
Reflection:
I’ll
be the first to admit that sometimes I look at scripture and not truly take it
in for what it really is saying especially if it’s a hard and difficult one to
accept. Like this verse in Matthew…”Therefore you shall be perfect, just as
your Father in heaven is perfect”. Really? I’m called and expected to be perfect like God? YES!
Because if not then that would deny what Jesus has said in this verse and in
James 1:4 among many others. Again, it’s not impossible when you consider that
when you are totally surrendering your everything to Him then you are allowing
the Holy Spirit to take over.
Challenge:
Ask
the Lord to give you wisdom about these matters and really consider in your
heart what the Word of God is really saying and don’t pass it off just because it
sounds impossible. But in Matthew 19:26 Jesus says “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. Right
now take time and take notice your thoughts. Is there any lust, fear, pride,
arrogance, selfishness or anything sinful in your thoughts? If so, consider how
to give up those thoughts of your own and let Jesus live through you with love,
humility, meekness, gentleness and confidence in the power of God the Father.
-Doug McGowan
