Perfect Will of God

Perfect Love

Ken

Nobody’s perfect! has been the defense of humanity throughout the ages. Some might add, If God is so wise, why don’t we see Perfect Love in society? Still others have carefully analyzed, Even if God did require Perfect Love, He knew we would never achieve it, which would only further prove humankind’s sinfulness. Besides, we’ll never see Perfect Love until we get to Heaven, would be the apparent conclusion.

What saith the Scripture? 

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV). 

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). 

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1Peter 5:10). 

“But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him” (1John 2:5). 

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1John 4:12). 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [literally, weighty]” (1John 5:3).

Born At The Right Time

Ken

You and I were born “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14 KJV). Our various backgrounds demand we take what we know and work toward where God is directing us. What do we know? “That He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Would we seek Him, if we did not think Him to be good? What has God done? (1) God has spoken to us in the Old Covenant “unto the fathers by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1). (2) God has further “spoken unto us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2) in the New Covenant. (3) Christ has “purged our sins” (Hebrews 1:3), which we accept by faith. (4) “But unto the Son He [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8), establishing Christ’s preeminence over us. (5) God has made and will “make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). LORD, we thank You for Your wisdom in placing us in our circumstances. May we magnify You as we respond with understanding to our responsibilities and opportunities. May we embrace You as our perfection that ultimately “shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Gift of Physical Life

Ken

The ability to sense our surroundings gives us self-awareness, and acknowledging God’s presence is essential to appreciating God’s gift of physical life. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV). Laying down our physical life for a selfless cause is both loving and heroic. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). But, the hopeless taking of our own life is both suicide and unpardonable. What then is the best thing to do with our gift of physical life? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). LORD, You are the giver of all good gifts. May we not consider ourselves as our own, but to be used for whatever gives You the greatest benefit, for then we will have our greatest happiness. Return quickly, and accomplish all your will on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen. 

What God Requires of Us

Ken

Just because you can do something, doesn’t necessarily mean you should do it. You might have the disposable income to afford a new smartphone, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you should purchase one. Impulse purchasing is why manufacturers compete for space next to the cash register at the supermarket, hoping you’ll do something simply because you can. But, if you actually need a smartphone, should you purchase the least expensive? “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48 KJV). If God has not given you other necessities demanding your resources, then the smartphone that fulfills your legitimate needs, represents the one God would have you purchase. Spirit filled action is Scripture justified action, and it flows from the heart attitude, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6), in expectation of the necessary guidance, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). LORD, may our daily walk with You always be in light of Your Word, but acutely sensitive to the choosing of Your Spirit. May we develop a sensitivity to Spirit filled direction that answers not simply what You require of us, but how we can best serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray it. And, do return quickly. Amen.