God works inside of us as well as outside of us, so that Christ is perfected in us as we are perfected in Christ. God is working within us, transforming us little by little until we are as perfect as Jesus is. And God is doing that same work around us in the world, bringing people from every tribe, language, and nation, until at last, His perfect kingdom comes.
The first dimension of perfection as Christians is the internal pursuit of personal holiness as we daily mature to be more like Jesus. 2 Cor 7:1 says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The second dimension is the external pursuit of soul-winning, increasing our faith in Christ, following the teachings of the apostles and prophets, and protecting ourselves from the wickedness of the world (Matthew 28:19-20: go therefore and make disciples of all nations…) through a lifestyle of holiness. Ephesians 4:12-13 says, “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.”
Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 6:1 (ASV) “wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” The Christian life is a life of continuous growth and advancement in spiritual maturity and perfection in Christ. Believers are not called to remain as ‘babes in Christ,’ “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 3:18.
In Hebrews 7:19, the Bible says, “for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” As believers, we know that Christ is our life and that Perfection in glory will be ours when Christ returns, when we shall appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
We serve, love, and worship a God Who is absolutely perfect - perfect in His personality, never changes. He is omnipotent (perfect in power) - It is impossible for God to have any more power than He does right now. He is omniscient (knows all things) - It is impossible for God to know any more than He knows right now. God is absolutely perfect in His holiness - in Him there is no darkness. All perfections come from God’s own nature.
Praise God! By His grace, at this Year’s Annual Glory Summit, themed: “Pressing onto Perfection,” we shall discuss: “Perfecting Holiness; The Perfecting of the Saints; Pressing on to Perfection; and Perfection in Glory.” May we all be richly blessed as we partake of life-giving and soul-saving truth of salvation, through faith in Christ alone. Amen.
With joy in our hearts, we welcome you all to the 18th edition of Annual Glory Summit – ‘the Ministry of God’s Word’. May our lives set forth a character of righteousness in God, a purity of holiness from God, bringing praise, honour, and glory to His Holy name. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
‘Sogo & Abi Adelaja
