"PRODUCING THE PERFECT MAN" PART 1, AUGUST 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." 1st 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.
1st 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." 1st 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." 1st 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." 1st
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