Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE PERFECT CHRISTIAN

The idea of any Christian being perfect while dwelling on the earth is far fetched to the minds of most. Yet Jesus admonished His newly called out church to “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48. This profound statement may leave the Bible student to wonder just what He meant. Understanding it demands an open mind, and the process of thought, balancing scripture with scripture to arrive at the referenced truth. Think with me about this.

Did Jesus knowingly give his disciples an impossible task? Was He playing mind games with them? Both of these possibilities are rejected. Something else to reject is the common understanding of “perfect” as being sinless. That simply is not in the concept of the biblical term “Perfect.” What the term means is to be “Complete, not fragmented, whole” as some 57 difference scripture references of the term in the New Testament alone will verify. In the context of biblical usage, the overwhelming references of the word are to an understanding of the faith once delivered to the saints; completeness in doctrinal correctness, and equipped for every good work. To that end, over 90% of the New Testament is written.

To some Christians, the Bible is a technical manual, or a disjointed collage of good and wise sayings. Still, some admit that it is impossible to understand. How pitiable are these viewpoints. The Bible is the LIVING WORD of God presenting its contents in total symmetry, unity, and harmony. But it must be approached and studied in faith. Since the Holy Spirit is the Supreme Teacher of the book, I John 5:18, to speak disparagingly of it, or of the ability to understand it is to openly insult God, and to admit to being a disobedient and rebellious student. But, appreciating the symmetry of the Word is not done in a quick easy lesson. It is a process of spiritual growth. Thus did Paul admonish the church at Rome to not be conformed to this present evil world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds that they might prove what is that perfect (complete) will of God, Romans 12:1-3. Such renewal is dependent upon exposure to the Word. The more one is exposed, the more the Holy Spirit is able to indelibly impress the great symmetrical truths; hence, the more complete in understanding one becomes, even more complete as in more perfect.

FOR THOUGHT: If it is the will of God for you to become a perfect (complete) Christian, how far along are you in the process? Did you

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