THE PRINCIPLE OF PERFECTION

There are certain laws or principles which the LORD has set in motion in the earth which govern the actions of men and events. The law (principle) of gravity, for instance, immediately comes to mind. What goes up must come down is a simple way to put it. There are laws of physics and mathematics which cannot be circumvented nor overturned by men regardless of how brilliant they may become. Having said that, some make the mistake of believing that GOD is somehow bound by principles outside of HIS own self and purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Our GOD is in the heavens: HE hath done whatsoever HE hath pleased.” (Psalms 115:3) The most common error in this regard has to do with HIS dealing with the wills of men. Many are under the impression that man has a “free will” over which GOD has no power and must stand idly by wringing HIS hands just hoping men will do what HE wants them to do. While it is true that men are responsible for their actions and always do what they want to do, we must also understand that GOD is sovereign even over the will of the creature. “THY people shall be willing in the day of THY power.” (Ps.110:3) “For it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13) The scriptures reveal that GOD is merciful (see Deut.4:31), yet HE says that HE will show mercy to those HE desires to show mercy to, and others HE will harden. (see Rom.9:18) The same ONE who the scripture says “is love” (see I John 4:16) says that HE hated Esau and all the workers of iniquity. (see Rom.9:13;Ps.5:5) While there is not and cannot be any law which can govern the LORD, yet HE is often willing to operate, in HIS dealings with the creation, within the parameters which HE sets forth for HIS creation. This very thing can be seen with regard to what I call the principle of perfection. It is actually a very simple concept that we face in every day life as well as something which is revealed in the scriptures. Simply put, that which is complete always replaces that which is in part. A man may love his wife or sweetheart with a great love, and if he is separated from her, her letters and her pictures are very near and dear to his heart. But when they are reunited, those letters and pictures, lose their value when he can hold her in his arms. A man’s paycheck is a very valuable item when he is on the way to the bank, but when it has been cashed and he holds the money in his hand then the check is of no concern, for it has served its purpose, that which is perfect is come. Paul spoke of this principle in the passage of scripture we began with, saying that all that we know and say in the present hour is partial, for we see through a glass darkly , but one day we shall see the LORD face to face, and then all of those things we could not fully understand now we will see then. (see I Cor.13:9-12). Now although we have not arrived at a place of perfection yet, we have been brought out of darkness into the light, and there are some things which we can now see quite clearly, some things which were in part we now see with fuller understanding. The central truth which has been revealed to us in the gospel is that CHRIST is the fulfillment of the law and that there is no reason to go back to that law which was written in tables of stone. That law was only temporary (see Gal.3:24,25) and not intended to bring any sort of perfection to GOD’s children. That CHRIST is the fulfillment(end or completed purpose) of the law is seen in the fact that:

1. HE obeyed the law in every jot and tittle for us and satisfied the requirement of obedience in our behalf. “By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” ( Rom. 5:19)) There is nothing we can add or, thank GOD, nothing we can take from either, the perfect obedience of our LORD in our behalf. Since that is true; then how can the law minister any help to us except to remind us of our imperfection? (see Heb.5:8)
2. HE took away the condemnation of the law being condemned for us. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS.” (Rom.8:1) What then can the law do but condemn us? That which is in part can not add to perfection. (see Gal.3:13)
3. HE was the LAMB which was slain for sinners. The law required a blood sacrifice, JESUS CHRIST was that one blood sacrifice that has forever satisfied the law ’s demand. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto GOD.” (Heb 7:19) “But CHRIST being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by HIS own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb 9:11-12) This is exactly why we reject the notion that GOD will have the temple rebuilt and blood sacrifices reinstituted in some earthly future kingdom. GOD does not reinstitute types and foreshadows in the place of reality. A perfect sacrifice has been already offered.
4. All prophecy has its fulfillment in HIM. We do not know all of the events which will yet unfold prior to the last judgement nor do we think they can necessarily be discerned by studying the scripture, but we are certain that all prophecy has been fulfilled in JESUS CHRIST. We are not looking for another SAVIOR. We are not waiting for a future kingdom for we know that HE rules and reigns in the earth at the present time. We are not waiting for the Jews to be manifested as HIS “chosen people”, for HE has already revealed that HIS people are those who are circumcised in the heart and not the flesh. There may yet be a revival and calling out of many of those who are of earthly Israel, but if so they shall be manifested as part of that remnant which have belonged to the LORD since the foundation of the world, the church of GOD, HIS elect, predestinated , heirs of grace. (see Mat.25:34;Rom.9:27;11:5;Eph. 1:4;5:27; II Tim.1:9)

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