Christian Perfection
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12 ESV
It is a snare to imagine that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do; God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements is apt to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum. If you go off on this idea of personal holiness, the dead-set of your life will not be for God, but for what you call the manifestation of God in your life. “It can never be God’s will that I should be sick,” you say. If it was God’s will to bruise His own Son, why should He not bruise you? The thing that tells for God is not your relevant consistency to an idea of what a saint should be, but your real vital relation to Jesus Christ, and your abandonment to Him whether you are well or ill.
Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship to God which shows itself amid the irrelevancies of human life. When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that strikes you is the irrelevancy of the things you have to do, and the next thing that strikes you is the fact that other people seem to be living perfectly consistent lives. Such lives are apt to leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary, by human effort and devotion we can reach the standard God wants. In a fallen world this can never be done. I am called to live in perfect relation to God so that my life produces a longing after God in other lives, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God is not after perfecting me to be a specimen in His show-room; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He likes.
Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (pp. 250-251). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
In today's reading, Chambers addresses one of the issues I find disconcerting. . . The munificent Muslim. The benevolent Buddhist. The humanitarian Hindu. People and organizations who are devoid of Christ but are still affecting the world for good. Many of whom seem to espouse "Christian" values at a greater rate than many of our churches.
Chambers makes it clear that our actions are not God's goal. What we do is of little value if it is not borne out of a closer relationship with Him. Our desire should be a more intimate relationship with Him. Out of this intimacy will flow the thoughts and actions that are pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
6 But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
Isaiah 64:6 KJV
If we give, but grumble, He is displeased. If we feed the poor, but hate our neighbor, He is grieved. If we march in protest, but neglect the Word, He is disappointed.
Actions that are not the result of our relationship with Him are of little value to our Heavenly Father who sees the heart. Before we act, let us pray. Before we march, let us mediate on Him. Before we give, let us deepen our relationship.
If we align ourselves with God, spend time with Him. search for His will, our thoughts, words, and actions will be pleasing to Him and of benefit to a lost and dying world.
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