SERMON: CALL AND COMMITMENT TO PERFECTION
TOPIC: CALL AND COMMITMENT TO PERFECTION
TEXT: Colossians 1:21-29
Through Adam’s disobedience, the principle of sin was introduced into humanity. This operating principle produced the practice and habit of sin in every offspring of our first parents (Romans 5:12). Man, in his fallen state could not save himself or pay the ransom for his redemption. But in mercy, God undertook our redemption by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. He met the demands of the law and became the legal substitute by shedding His precious blood for us (Romans 3:24; Isaiah 53:4-8; Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 1:18,19). All who exercise faith in His finished work at Calvary are saved from sin and its consequences.
However, the redeemed soul needs to walk by the holy principles of God’s kingdom. Heis holy and all that would walk with Him must be holy. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Therefore, being holy is
synonymous with Christian perfection, which is the focus of this study.
THE CASE FOR CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (Colossians 1:21,22,28; Luke 1:74,75; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 5:48; Deuteronomy 30:6; 1 John 4:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Perfection is defined as a state of completeness, wholesomeness and having everything that is necessary. It refers to a thing without flaw or fault (Leviticus 22:21; Matthew 5:48). Perfection alsohas to do with maturity (Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 6:1,2).
Christian perfection has long generated controversy in Christendom, dividing the church of Christ into camps of those who believe that it is possible and those who think otherwise. This problem is due to either misunderstanding by the rejecters or unwillingness to accept the truth. It is necessary therefore to state from the outset what Christian
perfection is not and what it is. One, it is not absolute. Only God has absolute perfection, not even the angels. Of angels, the Scripture says, “Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly” (Job 4:18). Two, it is not infallible, that is, incapable of making mistakes. Christians can be perfect in heart but not in the head. We observe the great Apostle Paul tendering apology after he erred in the matter of the high priest. “I wist not, brethren, that he was the highpriest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people” (Acts 23:5). Three, it is not knowledge perfection. Because we do not have all knowledge, we can misunderstand, misapply or misinterpret situations. Only God is perfect in knowledge.
What then is Christian perfection? The word perfection as a religious construct means the following: one, deliverance or salvation from sin to live a holy life (Luke 1:74,75; Matthew 5:48). Two, uprightness of character and disposition (Job 1:1,8; Deuteronomy 18:13). Three,it is entire sanctification or second work of grace when the heart is purged from inbred sin or adamic nature (Romans 6:6,7). Four, it is pure, unconditional or agape love – love for God, fellow Christians and neighbors (1 John 4:18; Deuteronomy 30:6; John 15:12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13). In essence, perfection is the purifying of our hearts to love God with all our heart, soul and mind; to love fellow believers as Christ loves them; and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Colossians 1:28). Five, it is maturity and spirituality (compare 1 Corinthians 3:1 with Hebrews 5:13,14; 6:1; Philippians 3:15 and Ephesians 4:13).
It should be noted that to be made holy, perfect or sanctified is the work of God and a Christian needs to yield his heart to Him as a patient does in an operating theatre to the surgeon for an operation todeal with the shoots and roots of sin. However, perfection or entire sanctification, though God’s work, leaves an important role for the believer. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfectingholiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Believers must deliberately separate themselves from sin and all objects of sin – idolatry, materials related to immorality or pornography – whether in print or electronicmedia. Indeed, God’s desire for the believer is to have a “clean heart” or “pure heart.” A blameless life is one that will live with God throughout eternity because the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (Colossians 1:22-27; Genesis 17:1; Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 13:11)
Christ’s work of redemption which brought salvation to the lost sinner also brought reconciliation with God. The purpose of this redemptive work is, “…to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight” (Colossians 1:22). God wants to bring every redeemed soul to the spiritual position where He looks and finds nothing sinful or evil. The process of attaining this goal entails obedience to the call to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”(Philippians 2:12). We cannot be holy and without blame if we are careless in our attitude and disposition towards worldly allurements and attractions. Christian perfectionwill enable us walk on a
higher pedestal with God.
Abraham had been called out of his land of nativity for twenty-four years, and it was now thirteen years since Ishmael was born to him. Atninety-nine years old, God called him to be perfect in his walk with Him. “And when
Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk beforeme, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). By this, he was required to be upright and consistent. Between his call to salvation at age seventy-five and the call to perfection, he had manifested some signs of inconsistency with God. First, he lied out of fear about his relationship with Sarah. Secondly, through the counsel of his wife, he slept with Hagar, Sarah’s maid. The Lord therefore, needed to call him to a consistently righteous walk.
The New Testament dispensation is superior to Abraham’s; hence, our High Priest, Jesus Christ, calls the Church to a perfect walk with the Father. “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). In the Epistles, believers are also called to perfection (2 Corinthians 13:9,11; Hebrews 6:1; Colossians 4:12). In order to gain this perfection, believers need to be steadfast in the faith, surrender and consecrate their lives to Christ. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful ishe that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24).
Paul the apostle was appointed a minister to preach the gospel of salvation to the world. In the process of carrying out this commission, he went through sufferings for the sake of Christ, but he was not discouraged; rather, he rejoiced in the Lord (Colossians 1:24). He called the word of God he was given to preach, mystery, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations.” This mystery is the breaking down of the wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles, thereby producing mutual access to the gospel of salvation and its privileges.
COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (Colossians 1:28,29; Philippians 3:12,22-32; 3:12-16, Colossians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 11:12)
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in all wisdom” (Colossians 1:28). The work of the gospel in perfecting believers involves preaching, warning and teaching. For the Apostle Paul, he preached the full gospel of salvation from sin through the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross. Secondly, he preached deliverance from the powers of darkness and translation from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God. Thirdly, he warned every man, particularly believers, night and day against sin and all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10,22,23; Acts 20:32; Colossians 3:5-9).
Lastly, he kept back nothing that was profitable unto them in order to qualify them for the ultimate salvation in heaven.
Presenting “every man perfect”, whether from the pulpit or through individual pastoral counselling or the printed page, must be handled with care and wisdom. Like Paul, ministers of God today should be committed to preaching, warning and teaching the flock of Christ, the whole counsel of God. A minister who fails to warn his congregation
against the danger of sin and imperfection is preparing them and himself for God’s final judgment.
Every believer must be committed to perfection, always doing things that help to deepen the experience. First, the
individual has to be personallycommitted to perfection in order to sustain the experience. The one who has accepted
the call to perfection must avoid the love of the world and keep himself pure. Second, the Christian minister, like
Apostle Paul, must be commitment to living, preaching and teaching it. The Lord has raised leaders in the church to
fulfil His goal of perfecting the body of Christ. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Third, the local church should also be united in upholding the truth and remaining steadfast. Perfection should be a
constant aspiration, pursuit and experience of everyone truly devoted to God. A man of God said, “The unceasing
and steady aim of every Christian should be perfectionperfection in all things – in love of God, of Christ, of man;
perfection of heart, and feeling, and emotion; perfection in his words, and plans and dealings with men; perfection in his prayer, and his submission to the will of God. No man can be a Christian who does not sincerely desire to be
perfect as God is, and who does not make it his daily and consistent aim to be as perfect as God.” We should be
united against worldliness, lukewarm attitude and false doctrine. Finally, God Himself is fully involved in empowering the Church to obey His Word and make it glorious, not having spot or wrinkle (Ezekiel 36:26,27;
Ephesians 5:25-27).
The blessings of our commitment to perfection are manifold. One, it helps us to be in favour with God and enjoy fellowship with Him. Enoch walked with God consistently for three hundred years (Genesis5:22-24). That he did it implied that he lived a life of communion with God. Two, a Christian should be committed to perfection in order
to be like our Father in heaven who is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Three, it would enable the believer to avoid falling
into sin or backsliding from the faith (Hebrews 10:38,39). Four, it ensures or guaranteesa place in God’s heaven on
the last day. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Five, it will bring glory to God
and bring others to the knowledge of the truth. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). Finally, it must be noted that to sustain this gracious experience, the believer must be watchful and careful, read the Bible and meditate upon it daily (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2); pray without ceasing (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17); endeavor to fellowship regularly with other believers (Hebrews 10:25); resist the devil and all his cohorts in times of temptation (1 Peter 5:8,9); and remain steadfast. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
