"PRODUCING THE PERFECT MAN" PART 2, SEPTEMBER 2018

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness 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 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." Ephesians 4: 14-16.

This is the foundation scripture upon which our study will be built. (possibly in 3 or 4 parts.) In our search of the scriptures, as it pertains to our complete salvation, we quickly discover God’s plan for our redemption. I say "complete salvation" because although unknown to multitudes of Christians, they bask in the first installment "called the earnest" but are unaware of the salvation that is yet to be revealed as we read: "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1^st Peter 1:4, 5. God’s purpose in us began with a perfect plan as he announced away back in the Garden of Eden. He himself, preached the first sermon (so to speak) that the Seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head. Here is another Old Testament scripture that illuminates our understanding of the types and shadows fashioned into God’s plan and revealed to us bit by bit over the thousands of years since time began. Reflecting over thousands of years, Paul presented a candid view of what God did in the creation of man, and what the true realism is.

The apostle reminds us on this wise: "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses (but since the law and the prophets prophesied until John—Matthew 11: 13) it means that death reigned from Adam to John the Baptist even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, WHO IS THE FIGURE (type) of him that was to come." Romans 5: 14. It is clear for us to assemble all Old Testament scriptures that relate to the coming of the Messiah. As we said earlier, God himself, in the Garden foretold of the coming of the "Seed of the woman" and this was spoken by God at the very dawn of time.

It should not take us long to discover that we were chosen in Christ before the world began: and we will turn to some of the supporting scriptures as we proceed. We look around us and wonder, and indeed ponder, sometimes with marvelous dismay at what we see being unfolded before our very eyes. Even the church as we know it, is involved in gross assault upon people who placed their trust in the clergy. It would require too much time and space for me to list these assaults upon people who rely upon the ministry of the church; to be their shelter and safe hiding place from the evil deeds of evil people But as being broadcast in prime time news, hundreds of people who were abused by the clergy, are bringing their sufferings to light, as they seek for justice to be done on their behalf. To be truthful and realistic, as Paul mentioned in one of his pastoral letters:

"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Romans 8: 22, 23. This groaning—this travail comes in different forms, for different periods of time, and are designed to produce different results; but in the end will produce exactly the result that God intended in the first place. The most important thing to remember, is that the pain and the travail are parts of the process through which the sons of God—and creation itself, must endure and pass through what is really a cleansing fire that is meant, not to destroy us, but to try us. 1^st Peter 4: 12.

We must conclude that our "full salvation" and the release of creation will unfold in the time that is set by God. As children of God, our growth into the maturity that God intends for us to attain unto, is clearly spelled out in scripture. Paul offers a small nugget of the truth that we are reviewing for our own edification. "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God." Hebrews 6: 1. The Apostle Paul issued a strong rebuke to the Hebrew church or churches in saying: "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." Hebrews 5: 11-13.

But how does the word "babe" fit into the equation? We find a stark reference to this in another place in scripture. "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as NEW BORN BABES, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby: if so be that ye tasted that the Lord is gracious." 1^st Peter 2: 1-3. It is quite evident that every child of God being born into the family of God, emerges as a new born babe, craving for the sincere milk of the word. Paul rebuke was based on the fact that these believers failed to grow up and become teachers instead of still needing to be taught and fed milk. The perfect growth formula for every new born babe is predicated upon the proper food, exercise, and cleanliness. As a child of God, it is important that you order your diet carefully. We are exhorted on this wise: "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34: 8. Here is another word of exhortation that is good for us to chew on. "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103: 5. These days, we are living in a health-conscious world.

Wholistic foods are big sellers today in a multi-million health industry. Pay special attention to what the verse says. God feeds us with good things, and we dare say that not everything that is on the religious buffet bar are "good things." We have heard it said time and time again, that you are what you eat. Let me add the following: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of the one bread." 1^st Corinthians 10:17. If the concept that we are what we eat is correct, eating of that Living Bread for many, many years of our discipleship, each one of us should by now become "one with the living bread." The idea that as Jesus IS, so are we in this world, should have become a reality. To this end we are looking more closely at these proposed realities. Our youth being renewed, is predicated upon the practice of us eating "good things." If we run from one table to another: from one pulpit and one sermon to another, we are likely not eating "good things."

When growing up in my country village, and Christmas rolls around, on Christmas morning I end up with colic (which is a stomach condition, the result of eating too many dinners that come with different forms of cooking. But the week before Christmas, we begin going from house to house, eating at each stop and by Christmas morning my stomach is maxed out. Even in religion it stands to reason that if we embrace every sermon we hear, chances are we will dine upon what we cannot call "good things." God has so ordered it that all life form is designed for growth: even our hair, our finger nails and toenails. The actual mountains across our vast land from the east coast to the west coast, and high up in the Canadian wilderness—yes indeed! Everything grows! For instance, new planets are being discovered frequently, and the universe seems to be getting bigger all the time.

Where there is no growth, stagnation sets in producing elements that eventually produces many forms of disease. Over time, we notice that even vibrant trees and vegetation whither and die. Life, including our world, are not designed to stand still. GROWTH CAN BE SCARY! Horse and carriage, love and marriage go together, and the process demands changes that can be scary for many people. This is why spiritual growth for many is hindered, because they cannot accept the changes that it requires.

I learn the following from a preacher in Kingston, Jamaica, where I was conducting a crusade in August 1968. He illustrated the fact that growing in God, is like climbing a flight of stairs. You use the stairs to get to the upper floor, but you leave the steps behind you for others to use. But you will not get to the step above, until you get off the step below. It is much like wanting to get more in your hand, but your fist is tightly closed. Nothing more can be added to a closed fist. These are basic concept that we must understand and utilize in our walk with God, as we go from glory to glory and avoid stagnation all together.

But the idea of "letting go of any truth for many, seems to suggest failing the Lord or going after false doctrines. But listen to the Apostle Paul for a moment! "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." 1^st Corinthians 13:11. But as we mentioned before and will mention again; the writer of Hebrews marveled at the lack of growth among the saints. He lamented the fact that when they should be teachers, they were still in need for someone to teach them. In today’s lingo, he could ask, where have you been all these years? What has stalled your growth? I have often said in sermons: "God saves children, but he does not keep them" the faster we grow up is the quicker God will be able to send us forth as his soldiers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Seemingly, so many are content to remain at the day care center, enjoying the tender loving care of the supervisors and care givers. Let us see how God goes about his business.

Imagine, or in your mind’s eye, picture God, like a master builder, sitting behind a vast table and stretched out before him is his blueprint for the universe and the galaxies he is about to create. What is he putting on that master blueprint? And how does he differ from us in his thoughts and in his ways? To begin with, the Lord spoke eloquently for himself, saying: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heaven s are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8, 9 We read: "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46: 9, 10.

At this juncture, let us insert a few points about our personal salvation. "According as he hath chosen us IN HIM before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us (meaning that this was done before we were born) unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ TO HIMSELF, according to the good pleasure of his will." Ephesians 1: 4,5. To this end, we bring Paul back on center stage for more insight on what Jesus Christ is doing with us on his behalf. Speaking of the church, he wrote: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church. Not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5: 25-27. That is God’s ultimate intention that he conceived within himself before the ages were framed. While the picture above is centered upon the church as his collective body, that body is comprised of individual like you, you, and us. Before the first man set foot on this terrestrial plane, God had already set in motion all aspects of our new birth, in a process that leads us to perfection.

This reminds me of Jacob’s interaction with God after he awoke out of his dream in which God spoke to him saying: "And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places wither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land, (this is the part that takes hold of me) for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Genesis 28: 15. There can be no greater promise or guarantee upon one’s life! Do you know what it is to live with a light burning on the inside that was lit when God spoke saying: "before your mother knew what she would have, I ordained thee to be an apostle in my house, and thou shalt surely go to a people that are not of your kind, but I shall go before you, and prepare the hearts of the people?"

This promise that God made with Jacob tugs on my inside, and thrills my innermost being, because I know that God resides within to make sure that his word will not fall to the ground—not on jot or title shall go unfulfilled: the same applies to the coming forth of the perfect man.

The ultimate purpose in our salvation, is for us to be conformed (made like—patterned after the likeness of his Son.) Not only did God in Christ outlined in great details what we should be in him; he also provided the necessary components for us to ascend to that realm of perfection, "that we call the perfect man." Our foundation scripture refers to the making and placing in the body the man who by reason of maturity measures up to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. We are assured that whatever we are predestinated to be, God’s will and provision have settled the matter that we shall see him as he is—and the beauty that decorates these Divine truths, is that God will do his good pleasure. Isaiah 46: 6,10.

In bringing us into perfection or full growth in the Body was not left to chance, and it was not predicated upon the whims of natural man, driven by his own ego. As Jesus ascended on high he put in place all that will be needed to produce that perfect man. Paul outlined the process that the resurrected Christ, as he left earth, put in place designed for us to achieve fulness in him. His provision was not predicated upon man’s ideals, that would require church authorities to design and implement either for outward show, or personal achievements.

In the process of growth into maturity, even as we count the years and number of falls and struggles to always climb to higher ground, we again turn our attention to Paul’s words of affirmation that are meant to add strength and embolden the faith of those who would read his letter to the local church. He wrote: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1: 6. In another pastoral letter the Apostle wrote: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (so in that case) Do all things without murmurings and disputings." Philippians 2: 13,14. All of these scriptures serve to lend credence to the process by which we all must embrace, be tested, and burned in the fire until we come forth as pure gold.      

Royce O. Kennedy