In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Richie gave a wonderfully clear explanation of Christian perfection. It is not that we do all the right things; it is not that we adopt a set of external behaviors in an effort to "look" holy. It is that we have completely surrendered our entire beings to the Spirit of God, and He therefore has complete freedom to work in and through us as He sees fit. And, as He works in and through us, He causes us to look and act more like Christ.
It is so important, too, that we continue reflecting on the aspect of Christian love in relation to perfection. What has our Lord said? "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15, italics mine). In other words, we do not keep His commandments because we are trying to avoid hell. We don't keep His commandments with a sour and grudgeful attitude. We do what He says because we love Him.
About thirty years ago I met a singer named Pete Carlson, whose ministry God used as a chisel to start chipping away at my stony heart. As I recall some of his lyrics now, I see in them a call to pursue holiness based on an incredible love relationship with Jesus. As we continue in our pursuit of holiness, let us chase after perfection and love: perfect (complete) surrender to our God, and perfect (exclusive) love towards Him.
Show me what's inside
By showing me your life.
You can't hide or deny;
'Cause if there's really love there, within,
It will show its face by how you choose to live.
Is it showing in your life?
Is it more than just a smile? (P. Carlson)
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