S26P7 – Our future in Christ: completed
Heb. 10:14-15a
For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]. And the Holy Spirit also adds His testimony to us…
From a very young age there was something inside me that always strove for perfection. I can recall taking tests in elementary school and being disappointed to receive an A- instead of an A. I could not be satisfied with my performance unless I knew that it was complete and perfect. Growing into adulthood this did not necessarily change. Although it was clear that perfection was not something to be expected, it was always something to be pursued. Even as an adult in legal practice I have been reminded of my flaws and errors. In one particular instance, a member of my support staff brought this to my attention when she noticed an error in my work. After I expressed my confusion at how I could have made such an uncharacteristic mistake, she proceeded to tell me that I am not perfect. Perhaps this desire for perfection comes from the truth that one day we will be made perfect.
For those of us who have been justified by Christ, we are perpetually being sanctified as well. This is the process of bringing us to completion. Scripture speaks of the old passing away and the new being born. It illustrates for us that those things which are currently incomplete and imperfect will be replaced by that which is complete and perfect. This includes the earth and the heavens. It also includes us. When the new heavens and new earth come, we will be new as well. When we are living in the New Jerusalem, it will not be as these imperfect people in these imperfect bodies. We will not have incomplete knowledge and wavering obedience. We will have been made perfect. Temptation to sin will not exist because sin will not exist. The shadow of life that we currently live in this fallen world will be outshone by the illumination of the perfect and complete life that God has waiting for us.
That little first grader inside of me is jumping for joy at the thought of being completed. Even he, just a mere babe, knew that imperfect man could not have been the plan. Even he could see that there was something greater intended for humankind. Even he had a desire to see people walk in fullness and completion. Imagine how much more our Father in heaven desires for us to be free from the imperfection that plagues us from within and without. When Jesus died and rose again for us, it was to restore us completely. This was not merely a restoration of relationship but a process of restoring us from imcomplete in every respect to complete in every respect. Father, thank You that You have made a way for us to grow to completion and perfection in You, and we look forward to the day when we are able to begin the perfect eternal life with You.