Morning Devotional

November 23, 2004
"The Promise of Perfection"

by Don Emmitte

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Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. (Philippians 1:3-6 NLT).

It is a little incredible to use the word “perfection” when talking about a promise of God. However, as we consider this fifth promise, I want you to understand that God will finish what he has begun in your life. The simple truth of Scripture is that when God starts something, He finishes it.

If you are a Christian you can find comfort in those words. One day, you will be perfect, sinning no more. God wants you to experience spiritual growth everyday. You might ask yourself: Am I more mature in my Christian walk today than I was this time last year? I love to teach. I love to share God’s Word with other Christians. In the mid-week class that I teach my goal is to see spiritual growth. I can see it in many of those who attend as they share with me the decisions they have made to change some things in their lives.

God wants to conform you into the image of His Son. Sometimes that means He wants you to spend more time in His Word. Sometimes He will bring someone into your life that will disciple you and teach you aspects of God’s character. Often times, God will use circumstances of your life to produce fruit. Trials are one of the chief ways God grows His children. Please do not hear me say that God causes these difficulties to occur in your life. However, when we do suffer through the hard times of life, we learn to rely on Him and that apart from Him we can do nothing. God may use a variety of methods, but in the end, God is working towards spiritual growth in your life if you are a Christian. God wants you to look like Jesus.

There is a fallacy in the minds of some Christians that once they reach a certain age, their Christian journey on earth is over. That is simply not what Scripture teaches. We see the example of Abraham, Moses, and the Apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation while on the island of Patmos, in exile for the gospel, when he was perhaps as old as 90 years of age. Are you on the growth journey? If you will submit your life fully to Christ, God will work in you to mold you into Christ’s image.

In closing, I’m reminded of the psalmist’s declaration: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” that’s how God wants it to end. That’s the finish line he draws us toward!