Category Archives: Perfection

Workers building a timber-frame house in a rural wooded landscape
Availability, Bible, Building, Hebrews, Imperishable, Perfection, Scripture

THE BUILDER OF ALL THINGS

HEBREWS 3:4

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”

I have had the privilege to travel a good bit internationally over the years, and one thing I have noticed is the very different styles of buildings in every country. Let me give you one example of two different styles. In the rural villages of Uganda, most houses are built using homemade bricks made of clay. They are large bricks but not as big as cinderblocks. However, in Kenya, you will see the larger blocks made of a grayish material. Both use the available resources to build their homes. I wonder if Ugandans would like the Kenyan style or vice versa.

The point of the verse today is that God is “the builder of all things.” The word “builder” is the same word we saw in yesterday’s blog, kataskeuazó, which is more of like the architect, the planner, rather than the physical builder. The literal Greek reads much different than our translation above. It would read, “Indeed, every house is built by someone; the One however everything having built (is) God.” The phrase “having built” is an Aorist (factual event, one time) Participle (which describes God).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

What is the writer trying to tell us in this verse? I don’t think he is telling us not to build. He says, “For every house is built by someone.” We all have building to do. In my ministry, I am always praying for the Lord to use me to build into the lives of other men to lead them to be disciple makers so they too can build into the lives of other men. We call that generational growth. So, what do I see in this verse? An Application to make and maybe even a Command to Obey.

Another thing I notice is God is just like those Ugandans or Kenyans. He uses the available resources. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says,
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Now, let me ask you a question. If we are called “God’s building,” do you think He would use faulty materials? No way. He would only use the finest available. He has chosen to build us. We are even called “living stones” in 1 Peter 2:5. “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The next time you drive by a construction site, take a look at the materials gathered. Some builders aren’t as honest as others and will try to cut corners to save money, risking the integrity of the structure. Satan will also build things that look legit until tested. Trust the Great Architect Who builds all. I promise His building plans are perfect.

Thank You, Father, for building me into Your image which is perfect.

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Customer browsing a café pastry case filled with cakes and macarons
Bible, Hebrews, Perfection, Scripture, Sin, Suffering, Temptations

TEMPTATIONS

HEBREWS 2:18

“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

I once had a friend who was discipler of men until the day he passed into Glory. I will never forget we were in a meeting with some other men and were discussing purity and the temptations of the flesh. At the time, my friend was 86 or 87 years old. Someone asked him, “Does this ever end?” He humbly and gently said, “Men, the temptations of the flesh never end, but we do learn how to resist them better each day we surrender.” I have shared that story several times with men who thought they could forever quash those temptations.

Today’s verse is similar to Hebrews 4:15 which says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.” The Greek word “tempted” is the same in both verses. It means to be tried or tested. It can be in a negative way (which the Lord would never do) or a positive way (which the Lord often uses to grow us).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

In this verse we have a Promise to claim, a Sin to avoid, an Application to make, and Something new about God. The Promise to claim is that Jesus will come to our aid in our temptations. But we have to call on Him. We can’t choose to sin and then cry that He didn’t help us. This is a proactive decision. Before you sin, when you are tempted cry out to Him and He promises to deliver.

A Sin to avoid is obvious. Don’t yield to temptation. Jesus has shown us through His sinless life that it is possible. Think of the suffering He endured and yet He did not yield to the temptation to react. Do you remember the temptations He faced in the wilderness by Satan himself? Who was going to know? He was all by Himself out there. Is that an excuse you have used?

An Application to make is given us by showing us the possibility of refraining from temptation. If you are like me, you are faced with temptations every day. It may be in how you talk to your spouse or children. It may be in refraining from talking badly about someone. We can apply this verse to our life every day.

Something new about God is a reminder of the fact that our God, our Savior is sinless perfection. There is not a shred of sin in His life, never has been and never will be. We will not reach sinless perfection in this lifetime. We will be able to experience that in heaven one day.

Today, give thanks to the Lord for His sinless perfection in the midst of suffering and for His example to us of how to live our lives daily.

O Lord, You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words because You are perfectly sinless.

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Auto mechanic cleaning a wrench beside tools in a garage
Bible, Completeness, Completion, Finish, Perfection, Romans, Scripture

FINISH THE JOB

ROMANS 15:28

“Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.”

I can still remember my dad teaching me how to do certain things. He could do just about anything. He was truly a “Jack of all Trades.” No matter what task he assigned me, he spent the time to show me how to do it correctly. And more importantly, he taught me how to finish the job. He always said the job was not finished until you had cleaned up. That might mean blowing off the lawnmower and putting it away properly. It might mean cleaning and putting away any tools I might have used. He didn’t want me to be lazy about a job but instead to finish it well.

Paul uses a Greek word for “I have finished” that is used ten times in the New Testament. Paul uses it seven of those times, Peter once and it appears twice in Hebrews. The word is epiteleó from epi and teleó. Epo is a preposition that reinforces the result of an action while teleó means to complete or finish. Put those together and you get the idea that Paul’s finishing this task of delivering the gift to the Jerusalem church had a major result on these saints. Paul made sure he completely finished this task.

APPLICATION

I love how this word is used in 2 Corinthians 7:1. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” You see here that our obedience of cleansing ourselves results in holiness. That’s simple – pursue flesh and stay unholy. Cleanse yourself and achieve the holiness God expects from His children.

My favorite use of epiteleó is found in Philippians 1:6 which says, “or I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” What is Paul saying here? God does not simply work on us. He completely finishes the job. He perfects us. He saved us, He is saving us and He will completely save us. We are currently a work in progress, but God promises to finish the job.

Has the Lord given you a job to do? You know He spoke to you and told you exactly what to do. He has equipped you to do it. Finish the job. You may not see the end results right now, but God will perfect it. Don’t stop short of completion. And when you have finished that job, put your “tools” away and be ready for the next job He gives you. Always keep them ready to use. One day you will hear those words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Use me, Lord, to complete the tasks You have given me, and I will lead the results up to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Law, Perfection, Righteousness, Romans, Scripture

PERFECT OBEDIENCE

ROMANS 10:5

“For Moses writes of the righteousness that is based on the Law, that the person who performs them will live by them.”

Have you ever known a perfectionist? I have known a few, and they were all miserable people. Why? Because no one is perfect. As hard as you try, you are going to make mistakes. I was always taught by my dad to do a job right the first time. He set high standards for his children. But he never demanded perfection. If we did our best, he was proud of us. However, he didn’t tolerate slacking off on a job. Whether that was house chores, yard work, school or in our part time jobs, he wanted us to do our very best.

Paul is referencing a passage from Leviticus 18:5 in today’s verse. “‘So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, which, if a person follows them, then he will live by them; I am the LORD.’” God demanded obedience to the law. Only by keeping each and every one of His commands was the Jew able to achieve righteousness. As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, they could never achieve this. Paul knew that. He had tried. Only when he found Christ (or should I say, Christ found him on that Damascus Road) was he able to achieve righteousness. Not from anything he did, but only through Christ’s righteousness.

APPLICATION

I love what Benson says in his commentary about this verse. “As if the apostle had said, Moses, by showing that the law requires exact and perfect obedience for righteousness, (an obedience impossible to be performed by us in our fallen state,) may thereby convince us that righteousness is not to be attained by our own works, but only by faith in Christ.” That pretty much sums it up.  

There are a couple of words in today’s verse that deserve to be pointed out. The first is “performs” which is the common Greek verb poieó, which means to do or make. Here it is used as a participle. Perhaps it could be translated “having done these things” which ties it to the second word “lives.” In other words, having kept all the requirements of the law and thereby achieving righteousness by the law, the Jew could live by them. Sounds easy? Not so much.

Aren’t you glad we don’t have to achieve anything to receive the righteousness of Christ. Sure, we need to strive to follow all of God’s commands from Genesis to Revelation. But God knows we will never be able to achieve perfect obedience this side of heaven. Yet He loves us still. God is a perfect God of an imperfect mankind. Any perfection we achieve in following His commands is only because of His perfect Son in our lives. Amen?

Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect Son, Jesus, Who lives in and through me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Law, Perfection, Righteous, Righteousness, Romans, Scripture

DON’T PURSUE THE WRONG THINGS

ROMANS 9:31

“however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.”

Too many people strive after perfection only to fall short time and time again. Their motive is driven by their belief that they must do something themselves to achieve this. But no one is perfect or ever will be perfect. Only one perfect human being ever walked this earth – Jesus. The good news is He doesn’t expect perfection from us even though we are told to “be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

This was the problem with trying to achieve righteousness by following the Law. Paul knew that. He had tried to gain this righteousness by perfectly adhering to the requirements of the Law. The problem was if you could keep the whole Law and fail in just one, you were guilty of failing the whole law. The word translated as “arrive” is phthanó which is used seven times in the New Testament. It has various meanings but generally means to attain or arrive at. We’ll look at some of the other uses later.

APPLICATION

Matthew Henry says of this verse, “The Jews talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very ambitious to be the favourites of God. They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing Christ, depending upon Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They expected justification by observing the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses.” That’s why the Jews struggled with the fact that the Gentiles who gave their lives to Christ achieved what they had been pursuing through simple faith.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he has a section in chapter 3 that talks about his pursuit for perfection. Take a minute and read Philippians 3:12-16. It ends with these words, “however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” He acknowledges the journey of faith includes a process of sanctification, but states that we need to live in what we have already attained. What does that mean? It means, I believe, that Paul knew his righteousness did not depend on what he could achieve. He could never achieve perfection. But Jesus saw him and sees us perfected in Him. Hallelujah!

In Matthew 12:28 and Luke 11:20 phthanó is used to describe what Jesus taught about the kingdom’s arrival. The Topical Lexicon says, “Jesus declares that His exorcisms prove the kingdom’s present arrival, not merely future hope. Phthanō underscores immediacy: the reign of God has already overtaken His hearers.” You can celebrate your attainment of God’s righteousness in your life today. Know your identity in Him and strop pursuing things you think will gain you a perfection not necessary in the eyes of God.

Lord, I love You and thank You for seeing me as perfected already through Your righteousness.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Heaven, Jesus, Journey, Perfection, Scripture

I HAVEN’T ARRIVED

PHILIPPIANS 3:12

“Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

I have some ministry colleagues who are leaving today for a trip to East Africa (Kenya and Uganda). I have made that trip more than a dozen times, so I know the grueling nature of it. It’s not just the plane rides and subsequent jetlag. It’s the layovers and delays. It’s the lost luggage and all the little things that can go wrong on the trip. So, when they reach their final destination tomorrow, I know they will be thrilled.

What has that got to do with today’s verse? Well, the word Paul uses for “become perfect” can mean “reach a final destination.” Some scholars believe that is more to what Paul is saying than claiming he isn’t perfect. No one can claim that, no matter how pious and holy they are. We can’t deny Paul’s spiritual dedication. He lived a life we should all strive for. But Paul knew he hadn’t arrived. He still had a long way to go to be like Jesus.

APPLICATION

It is true that the older we get and the more time we spend in the Word, the more we realize that we are still a work in progress. Our spouses don’t have to remind us of that. We know it. In Acts 20:24, Paul says this to the Asian believers he had called together, “‘But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.’” The word “finish” is the same word used in today’s verse for “become perfect.”

When you reach the end of your course, your journey with Christ, then and only then will you be perfect. You will have fully matured. You will have accomplished the task. Being perfect here is our goal for which to strive. Even though we won’t achieve it, we keep striving, knowing that with each passing day we are being perfected until that glorious day when we see Jesus face to face.

In the meantime, how close do you say you are to that perfection, to having arrived? Most days I don’t feel too close. Other days I could claim a little more. The only one worthy of judging my perfection is the only One who knows true perfection. He is my judge, not you. Nor am I your judge. Only Jesus sees our “Perfection level.” Only He can make us more like Him as we submit more and more of ourselves to Him.

Father, I want to become more like the Perfect One each day. Give me the hunger to know You more.

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Bible, Completeness, Maturity, Perfection, Scripture

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:28

“We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ.” 

I have been a follower of Christ since I was 16, but I have still not arrived. I have matured a lot since way back then, but  there is a lot I don’t understand. I am not completely complete, but yet I am positionally. Confused? Don’t be. Let’s take a look at what Paul means by today’s words to us in verse 28.

Paul is saying our aim should be to bring all followers of Christ into completion. “so that we may present every person complete in Christ.” The word “complete” is téleios. It means “going through the necessary stages to reach the end–goal,…This root (tel-) means ‘reaching the end (aim).’ It is well-illustrated with the old pirate’s telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).” (HELPS Word Studies)

APPLICATION

This word is used in Matthew 5:48 by Jesus to describe us and God. “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. What?! We’re supposed to be perfect? That’s what Jesus said. We know Jesus would not lie or exaggerate about this. Our purpose, our goal is to be like Him. He was perfect. He was complete. We should be like Him.

Paul uses this word in 1 Corinthians 2:6a, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature;” That’s the idea that I really want to get across. Our goal each day as a Christ follower should be to grow more like Him. We should always be maturing in faith. It’s too sad that we choose sometimes to regress and go backwards.

I love how James uses this word in James 1:4 where he is speaking about the purpose of trials. “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” God allows trials in our lives to mature us, to grow us up. Enjoy the journey He has for you, knowing His plan is to make you more and more like Him.

Lord, I want to be like You. Grow me and mature me to be perfect like You.

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Bible, Correction, God's Will, Kingdom, Perfection, Purpose, Scripture, Temple

A PERFECT FIT

EPHESIANS 2:21

“in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,”

As a boy I can remember my dad working to make something fit just right. He would measure carefully (measure twice cut once rule), try the fit, and if it didn’t feel just right to him, he would pull it back apart and file or sand some more. He wanted whatever he was working on to fit right and function properly for years to come. I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a perfectionist, but he was pretty close.

Did you know God is a perfectionist? Of course, you did. God is perfect. He is flawless. So why should it surprise us that anything He does is also perfect. Today’s verse uses a Greek word that is only use twice in the New Testament. In fact, both times it is used in Ephesians (today’s verse and 4:16). HELPS Word studies gives a great definition of the phrase “being fitted together.” It defines synarmologéō as “(hinged together), occurs twice in the NT (Eph 2:21, 4:16) – both times of God ‘fitly framing believers (OT, NT) into a harmonious, synergistic whole.’ That is, each individual being functioning as a part of the one people of God.”

APPLICATION

In yesterday’s blog we looked at the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and how He fitted the two walls (Gentiles and Jews) together. Synarmologéō just goes on to complete that picture. The first part of that word is the preposition sun which is the Greek word that implies an inseparable togetherness. This “fitting together” is permanent. And the purpose of this “fitting together” is to build a permanent holy temple. This temple is not an earthly temple. No! It is a heavenly temple for all believers.

Look at what Paul said in the letter to the Galatians. 3:26-29 says, “26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

Listen, beloved, we are all “fitted together” to serve the Lord. The reason God brought us to Himself was to be a part of the big picture. You are important in the kingdom. He needs you to do your part, to play your role. It’s not about works. It’s about service. Will you “fit together” today? Allow God to use His tools of grace on you to make you fit perfectly.

Thank You, Lord, for all the filing and chiseling You do on me to make me more like You.

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Bible, Devil, Division, Evil, God's Will, Harmony, Identity, Perfection, Relationships, Scripture

JUST WHO ARE YOU

GALATIANS 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

There is a lot of confusion about people today. People are choosing to identify as all kinds of other people or things. I heard recently about an elementary age child who thinks they are a cat. So, the school has to supply him with a litter box. I am not kidding. Way too confusing for me.

In today’s verse, Paul simplifies things. He says, “you are all one in Christ Jesus.” No longer do they have to think like a Jew or Greek. Whether you are slave or master doesn’t matter. The societal restraints against the sexes also fade away. He was making sure they knew that we are all together now in Jesus.

APPLICATION

How do you identify? Well, I’m Baptist so I can’t associate with those Catholics. Or We Methodists cannot go to that service because it’s being led by that Lutheran guy. We still wear our labels. No one is greater than the other in Christ. We are equal. Give each other room to grow.

I believe Paul says it best in Ephesians 4:4-6. “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” We are one. We are united in Christ. We no longer need to be separated into classes or groups.

So, why do we have all these Christian denominations? I get asked that sometime by non-believers. They wonder why we can’t all get along. Good question. But as long as we are here on this earth, we are going to have divisions. Let’s strive to unite. Let’s strive to present a united front against the evil one. We are one!

Lord, thank You for showing me who I am. I know I am in You and You are in me.

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Bible, God's Will, Modeling, Perfection, Scripture, Strength, Suffering, Testimony, Testing

WHAT ARE YOU SUFFERING FOR?

GALATIANS 3:4

“Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?”

Raise your hand if you are suffering right now? That wasn’t very many. Let’s try that again. Just kidding. I can’t really see your hands raised. But if I asked each of you individually that same question, you may respond in the affirmative. Perhaps you are suffering for your faith right now. You may face ridicule and scorn from family or friends. Your employer may harass you because of your Christian stance on issues. If that is your case, then Paul asks you a question today.

As Paul addressed the Galatian believers, he asked them this question we find in today’s verse. Many of them had suffered for turning to Christ. Some of them may have lost everything to follow Jesus. If they had not personally suffered, they probably knew someone who had. Suffering in the first century for Jesus was not an uncommon thing. Is it worth it today?

APPLICATION

In Philippians 1:29, Paul says this about the issue of suffering. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” How about Romans 5:3-4. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”

There’s a purpose in our sufferings. Recently, I was with someone who is going through a tough physical challenge. I told them that God allows us to go through things in our lives for a couple of reasons. One is to draw us to Himself. He will often use our life experiences to show Himself to us and call us into His family. Secondly, as believers, I believe He uses suffering to refine us and make us more like Jesus.

Paul is reminding the Galatians believers that their suffering was not in vain. God had brought them so far for a purpose. He had proven that He was all they needed. Why go back to the fleshly way of living? Why go back to trying to earn your way to heaven? God was and will always be all we need. He has given us direct access to the throne through His Son, Jesus. Simply rest in Him.

O Lord, You are all I need. I thank You that You consider me worthy of suffering for Your name.

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