Winter
1987
Perfecting The Mystery
Taken from an article by
Seeley Kinne
The true nature of Christian Perfection is first a fullness
of self-denial. "For if you live after the flesh, you
will die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds
of the body, you will live" Rom 8:13. "This I say
then, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust
of the flesh" Gal 5:16.
This is not the flesh putting down the flesh by austerities,
fastings, and man-made denials. It is thru the Spirit, taking
up the cross that the Lord puts upon us. Joyfully walking
the path, and enduring that which is Divinely appointed our
lot. Perfect self denial in the Spirit, ends in perfect victory
over the world, the flesh and the Devil.
In the higher workings of the Christ life, natural law may
be transcended. Paul gloried in suffering the buffetings of
a messenger of Satan. Peter is said to have asked to be crucified
with his head down. At the Divine command, Abraham was willing
to offer his own son on the altar. "Seest thou how faith
wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
James 2:22.
There is a means provided in the gifts and plan of God for
purging out the old leaven, for cleansing away the weakness
and faults of our natures and perfecting holiness. "Having
therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God" II Cor 7:1.
This is done by the Glory of God shining upon our natures,
and discovering where we need help and deliverance. Whenever
the Glory of God shines forth, there is a discovery of the
weaknesses and blemishes of nature. But there accompanies
this Spirit of revelation, a transforming, healing "Glory
Power" that heals the broken defected part, making crooked
things straight, rough places smooth and high or low places
level. "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in
a mirror, the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same
image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord"
II Cor 3:18.
This is accompanied with, or carried forward by, the work
of cleansing by the Word, whether it be the application of
the written Word by the Spirit, or the uttering of the spoken
Word by a vessel in wisdom, that is sharper than a two edged
sword, and pierces to the blemishes of the innermost being.
This is clearly described in the Scriptures. "...Christ
also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should
be holy and without blemish" Eph 5:26-27. "...by
the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit"
Titus 3:5. "...having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" Heb
10:22. "Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly
purge His floor..." Matt 3:12.
It is largely for the lack of the gift of wisdom, operating
in the Church among us that we are yet so imperfect and faulty.
No one, who has ever experienced the application of the Word
to his life, by the Glory working of the Spirit and the cauterizing
power of the spoken Word of Wisdom, can ever doubt the great
lack we are suffering while these important gifts are inoperative
among us.
In entering into this spiritual battle, which is in a realm
“above” natural sights, all of our human efforts
and fleshly defenses will fail. We can only fight by obeying
the Word.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that
you may be able to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-11a
The intensity of this conflict exceeds all natural conceptions.
We add a few passages testifying to the necessity of earnest
seeking in our cooperation with the Lord in divine activity.
The half-hearted and indifferent will certainly be defeated.
The multitude of strong Scriptures emphasizing this necessity
of alertness and watchfulness are but partially represented
in the following:
“AWAKE you that sleep.” Ephesians 5:14
“SEE then that you walk circumspectly.” Ephesians
5:15
“Be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent.” Revelation
3:19
“FERVENT in spirit.” Romans 12:11
“LOOKING diligently lest any man fail of the grace of
God.” Hebrews 12:15
“PRESS toward the mark for the prize.” Philippians
3:14
“RUN with patience the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
“STRIVE to enter in at the strait gate.” Luke
13:24
“FIGHT the good fight of faith.” I Timothy 6:12
“WATCH you therefore, and pray always.” Luke 21:36
The Lord calls for perfection of love toward Him. He desires
to reveal His love in perfection within us. This is the fullness
of the indwelling of Christ, for love is the fullness of God.
If we then are inundated with the Love of God in Christ, we
may be brought into the perfect state of divine control. Christ
has then become our very life.
“Out of Zion, the perfection of Beauty, God has shined.”
Psalm 50:2
“Now to Him that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Jude 24-25