Message
Many people consider perfection as an impossible task. However, today’s memory verse says that it is M possible to be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is. This call to perfection is achievable through God’s grace.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Grace is the first and most vital ingredient of perfection; it is what imparts divine strength and nature into us, empowering us to live above sin and worldly desires. It is the divine enablement available only to those who are born of the Spirit. Without grace, perfection is unattainable; but with grace, it becomes our nature. Grace gives us the capacity to reflect the character of Christ in our daily conduct. says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
Perfection in Christ is not the absence of human weakness; it is the presence of godly virtues made possible by grace. To grow in grace, we must continually feed on the word of God. says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” also admonishes us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…”
Today’s Bible reading provides a step-by-step guide for achieving perfection in Christ. Apostle Peter admonishes us to add virtue to our faith. In other words, we must add moral excellence and integrity to our walk with God. Next, we are to add knowledge to our virtue, and subsequently, add temperance and patience. Above all these, he points us to charity, which is the pure love of God that binds all virtues together. Love is the crown of perfection, for love fulfils the entire law ().
Beloved, I want you to know that perfection is not a one-day event. The apostles were not perfect overnight; their continuous walk with Jesus Christ transformed them and positioned them for perfection. Likewise, the closer you walk with Christ, the more you reflect His character and become perfect in Him (). I pray that God will make you perfect in every good work to do His will, in Jesus’ name ().