While on vacation and taking time out to edit the blog, I came across another unpublished message involving a vision. It’s been sitting in my draft folder for over two years and it is a message that is too important not to publish. I pray that it blesses you today.

A Fruitful Vision

In this vision, fresh fruit was shown on my kitchen counter next to a plaque that was recently purchased. This is the plaque and this is what it reads:

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (1 Phil. 3-6)

Defining Perfection

The root Word of Perfection is Perfect which also means ‘Complete’. And according to Merriam Webster, Perfect means: a) Being entirely without flaws, faults or defects – flawless. b) Satisfying all requirements – accurate. c) Corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept. d) Faithfully reproducing the original – letter perfect. e). Legally valid. [Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary]

Interpreting the Vision

As Believers, are we already perfect?! Without defects or flaws like a perfect diamond? In brief, the vision conveys that we are called to perfection but that we have not yet been made perfect. It’s a process and it is accomplished though the Holy Spirit of GOD whose perfect fruit changes us incrementally ‘from glory to glory’ into the glorious image of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23) Christ is sinless perfection and is our righteousness unto GOD. And yes, we are certainly justified and even sanctified the moment we receive Him into our hearts and minds as Lord and Savior. But from that moment on, human life on this fallen planet still continues. And for this reason, the plan of redemption also makes provision for progressive or experiential sanctification. As the old nature continues to die off through tests, trials, temptations and experiences, we increasingly mature into the new man and we become more spiritually edified and fortified.

We are all growing or ‘ripening’ to perfection at different levels of spiritual development until “the day of the Lord.” And until then if and when we have occasion to sin, there is forgiveness for the genuine repentant soul through Jesus Christ. Does this mean we have carte blanche to sin, at least occasionally or at the very least just a little bit? No, it does not. But praise GOD that we have the indwelling Holy Spirit including the Word that helps us recognize sin; that strengthens us during moments of temptations; that helps us retain our salvation and that moves us to holiness. And thanks be to GOD that we have an Advocate in heaven who hears our earnest confessions!

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Jesus in Mat 5:48)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 Jn. 8:9-10)

A Christian Controversy

This is a controversial subject for many Christian denominations and Believers who claim having already attained to perfection and holiness. To justify this belief can adversely stunt spiritual growth. At worse, it gives the old nature carte blanche to sin which disables the Holy Spirit to do His wonderful work of transformation and glorification through repentance. To every action there is a reaction and to every unconfessed sin there is a consequence. At worse, sin is detrimental to salvation.

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. (1 Thess. 4:4)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12)

By The Way

About the pineapple in the picture – it has a label attached to it that reads: Gold. Yes, the sanctifying Law of the Spirit is perfect and makes perfect like gold. It purges the soul from all impurities and set us free from the penalty of death which is the consequence of sin. (Rom. 6:23; 8:2). It is incredibly amazing how the Holy Spirit communicates with us by interfacing, in this case, visions with real-life objects and the Word of GOD. What an unfathomable, wonderful gift the Lord Jesus Christ gave us with the Holy Spirit! Thank you to infinitum resurrected Son and Lamb of the living GOD for having paid the legal debt on our behalf through your finished works. It was and is a work of Love and Perfection.

Not that I (Apostle Paul) have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold for me. (Phil. 3:12)

 But I (Apostle Paul) see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Rom. 7:23-25)

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mat. 26:41)

You can read more about Sinless Perfection here.

You can read more about Sanctification here.

Keep the Faith!

Suzanne