In the sermon titled "Being Made Perfect," Mike Baker addresses the theological concept of perfection as understood within Reformed doctrine. He argues against a performance-oriented theology that suggests individuals can achieve perfection through their own efforts. Instead, he emphasizes that true perfection is a divine gift, made available through Christ and the new birth, aligning with key scriptures such as Colossians 2:10, 2 Samuel 22:33, and Hebrews 12:23, which convey that believers are complete in Christ, needing nothing else for their standing before God. The significance of this teaching lies in its affirmation of grace over works, illustrating that human efforts cannot attain the perfection that God provides sovereignly, thus fostering humility and reliance on God's unmerited favor.
Key Quotes
“What God requires, what He demands, He always supplies.”
“If something's perfect, you don't need to do anything to it.”
“We can never keep the whole law; we can never do... that's what the law made nothing perfect.”
“We are just the recipients of [God’s blessings].”
The Bible teaches that being made perfect is solely the work of God through Christ, who makes us complete and needs nothing else.
The concept of being made perfect in Scripture emphasizes that perfection is a divine provision rather than a human endeavor. In 2 Samuel 22:33, it states, 'God is my strength and power, and he maketh my way perfect,' which highlights that God is the active agent in our perfection. From both the Old and New Testaments, perfection means being complete and lacking nothing, as exemplified in Hebrews 12:23 where it's noted that the spirits of just men are made perfect. This perfection is rooted in God's sovereign grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ, confirming that we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).
2 Samuel 22:33, Hebrews 12:23, Colossians 2:10
The doctrine of perfection is affirmed in Scripture, highlighting that God provides the means for us to be complete in Him through Christ.
The truth of the doctrine of perfection is rooted in the biblical testimony that emphasizes God's sovereignty and grace. In Genesis 17:1, God commands Abraham, 'Walk before me and be thou perfect,' demonstrating that God's demands come with His provision for meeting those demands. This echoes through the New Testament, where we are told in Colossians 2:10 that 'ye are complete in him,' reflecting the sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work. Moreover, the narrative from Hebrews 12:23 affirms that just men are made perfect, underscoring that this is an accomplished fact through God's initiative rather than through our own striving for perfection.
Genesis 17:1, Colossians 2:10, Hebrews 12:23
Understanding perfection is vital for Christians as it reveals the grace of God that enables us to be complete in Christ, freeing us from the burden of self-righteousness.
The importance of understanding perfection in the Christian life is profound, as it unravels the core of God's grace and our relationship with Him. Many Christians struggle with the belief that they must achieve perfection through their works, leading to despair and cyclical feelings of success and failure. However, the Bible teaches that perfection is dependent on Christ alone. The acknowledgment that Christ has fulfilled all requirements for us allows believers to rest in His sufficiency and not rely on their performance (Philippians 3:12-14). This understanding leads to a more vibrant faith, where believers can grow in the knowledge of grace and cease from striving under the law, recognizing instead their identity as complete in Him.
Philippians 3:12-14
Grace plays a central role in being made perfect, as it is through God's grace that we are transformed and made complete in Christ.
In the sovereign grace theology, understanding the role of grace in our perfection is essential. Grace is not simply a concept but is the means through which God has prepared everything we need for our spiritual completeness. In Ephesians 5:27, it speaks of Christ presenting the church to Himself 'a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.' This reflects that the perfection of the believers is a result of Christ's atoning work and God's grace bestowed upon us, which enables us to be made perfect in His sight. The interplay of God's eternal love and His grace assures us that our standing before Him is not based on our imperfect efforts but entirely upon His gracious provision.
Ephesians 5:27, Colossians 1:27
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