Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

Part II--The Process Of Reconciliation With God

F. Lesson 12--We Must Be Faithful In Serving The Lord

18. READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-14

a. What should we aim for?

Answer: Christians should aim for perfection, (verse 11).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• The instructions given by the apostles are given by the authority of Christ. They ARE God's inspired Word and, therefore, they are to be pursued diligently. These instructions in God's Word--the Bible--teach Christians how to live in order to please God: having godliness, or being godly, which is aiming for perfection:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2: "Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus."

• To "aim for perfection," the Christian must honor God's Word. He must do and continue to do those things commanded by Christ through the inspired writings of the apostles and other inspired men of God who wrote down God's instructions for us:

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5: "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

• The Christian's aim--goal--is perfection in Christ. It is accomplished by being fully equipped with the Word of God--living it, teaching it, continually learning from it and, thus, being made more and more like Christ, Who is the exact representation of His Father, Both being perfect.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

• To aim for perfection is to continue to work out our salvation as God works in us. We learn how to continue to work out our salvation from the Word of God. The Word of God is Christ, John 1:1, and Holy Spirit works in us through the Word, and, therefore, God works in us so that we may act according to HIS good purpose--all of us working together in perfection and continuing to do so:

Philippians 2:12: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."

• To aim for perfection is to be holy in God's sight, without blemish so that no one can accuse us of anything against God's Will. It is achieved by continuing in our faith, which was established by the Gospel. We need to continue to read, study and live that Gospel in the ongoing process of striving for perfection:

Colossians 1:21-23: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation--IF you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. This is the Gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

• We received Christ through the Gospel. We are to be deeply rooted in Him. We are to be built up in Him. We are to be strengthened in our faith just as we were originally taught. This is the continual process of aiming for perfection:

Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

• Perfection is not a stagnant work. The believer can never sit idle and content in who he/she is at any given time. That is surely the time that Satan will tempt you and draw you away from what you know is the Truth:

1 Corinthians 10:12: "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!"

• Striving for--aiming for--perfection is a never-ending process, continually on the move, continually flowing. To continually be aiming for perfection is to continue in Christ so that we stand confident and unashamed before Him when He comes again. It is to continue in the teaching of Christ. It is to continue to walk in Truth:

1 John 2:28: "And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming."

2 John 1:9-11: "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work."

The phrase "runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ" is talking about people who believe that they know more than God does. They find the Word of God to be inadequate in their puffed up minds, and they invent their own "gospel," casting aside the perfect teachings of Christ as well as the Truth that Christ was God made flesh and lived among us. They are followers of the teachings of men--or their own opinions.

• In 3 John 1:3-4, John is writing to people he has taught about the Word of God, and he refers to them as his "children." He has great joy that his children continue in the Truth. He says of them:

"It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the Truth and how you continue to walk in the Truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth."

And this is how God, Christ and the Spirit feel about us when we are walking in the Truth--aiming for perfection. We please Them and give Them great joy.