THE GOD OF PERFECTION
STUDY TEXT: 2Sam. 22:31-33
2 Samuel 22:31-33
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
- God is a perfect God in all his ways and no imperfection can be seen with God. Whatever he does or says is perfect. His ways are perfect; His words are perfect and have capacity to make us perfect.
- Because we are created in the image of God the ultimate desire of God for us it to be perfect in all our own ways too. Matthew 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Therefore any kind of imperfection in man is an act of disobedience to the word of God which has to be corrected. And any one that will get to heaven at the end of the earthy journey must strive towards perfection according to the will of God.
- God gave us his words for our perfection and his spirit to guide us into all truth in order to be perfect. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- As we read the word of God, listen to it being preached to us at all times, or as we preach it to others, we must never lose touch of the primary purpose of it which is perfection.
- Although we are not yet perfect, but we should strife daily, depending on the grace of God towards perfection. Philippians 3:12-15: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you
- We shall look into this study under two major headings:
1. The dimensions of perfection as regards to God.
2. The direction of perfection as regards to men.
1. THE DIMENSIONS OF PERFECTION AS REGARDS TO GOD.
1. God is perfect in his works. Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
- Everything God does is perfect, and they are for the purpose of his own glory.
2. God is perfect in his words. Psalms 19:7-8
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- The word of God is faultless, and has capacity to produce the will of God in man. The word is God and as perfect as God himself. John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
- The word is personified in his son Jesus.
3. God is perfect in his power. Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
- God is perfect is his power and that is why there is no impossibility with him. If God has not done something, it is either He will not do it or He has a time in mind to do it and can never be because He can not do it.
-Consider the experience at the red sea, the people thought that all hope was lost, but God proved that He can do all things.
4. God is perfect in his glory. Isaiah 6:1-7
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
- Beholding His perfect glory produces transformation in a man, as we can see in the life of Isaiah the prophet. The glory is so great that it cannot be compared with any earthly glory
5. God is perfect in his holiness.
- The fore most characteristic of God is his holiness. This signifies:
1.) His purity of character
(2) His separation from sin
(3) His opposition to all that is evil.
6. God is perfect in his judgment. 2 Timothy 4:7-8:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
7. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
- God cannot be deceived or enticed. He knows every secrete things and the intentions and motives in the heart of men and He is going to give a perfect judgment of all things and of all men.
7. God is perfect in his love. John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- The love was not based on any condition but it is pure and perfect. There is no greater love ever demonstrated anywhere.
2. THE DIRECTION OF PERFECTION AS REGARD TO MAN.
1. In our walk with the Lord. Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
- God is expecting a life of absolute purity from us at all times. He wants us to be perfect exactly the way He is. He lay down his life for that purpose, and we will be falling short of His purpose for us in life if we are not perfect.
2. In our work for the lord. 2Tim. 3:17
- God wants us to be thoroughly furnished unto good works. We are to be faithful and committed in our services unto God for the expansion of Hhis kingdom.
3. In our relationship and dealing with men. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
- God wants us in perfect relationship with others within and without the church. There must be peaceful relationship between husbands and wives, among the brethren, within the neighborhood and every where we have contact with other men. That is the purpose of the fruit of the Holy spirit.
4. In our well being and health condition.
- It is the will of God that we live in perfect condition, to be in good health physically and emotionally, anything short of this is the work of the devil and must be resisted.
5. In our patience and enduring hardship. James 1:2-5
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. In our jobs, careers and business.
- He desire a perfection that will produce prosperity in our lives, and give glory to His name so that other people can be drawn unto Him for a perfect relationship and fellowship.
7. In having victory over the devil and his against. Luke 10:17-19
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
