The New Commandment Contrasted with the Royal Law

Posted on by BETH

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

The ‘new’ command is not the same as the ‘Royal Law’ (love thy neighbor as thyself) (Lev. 19:18; James 2:8).  They are very different.  The Royal Law has a different subject of its love.  The Royal Law directs its love toward the neighbor.  That can be anyone in need (Luke 10:29-37).  The new commandment directs that love only toward ‘one another,’ God’s children, ‘the least of these my brethren,’ not just anyone (John 13:34,35).

Neither is the ‘new’ command the same as the Royal Law in the content of that love.  The love of the Royal Law, is to love as we love ourselves – ‘love thy neighbour as thyself.’  The ‘new’ command  is to love ‘as I have loved you.’  Jesus’ love and our love are very different.  His love is far greater.  The Royal Law is satisfied with our love, but the new command requires us to grow to have Jesus’ love.

The new command is not all-encompassing.  It does not direct us to have Jesus’ love for his Father, his enemy, his neighbor or his friend.  The new command singularly directs us to love each other as Jesus loves God’s children (“as I have loved you”).  Jesus’ love toward God’s children is ‘perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:4).  As long as we are lacking in any one part of Christ’s love, we can not love God’s children with Jesus’ complete love. He did not lack any part.  We must grow to have all of the parts of Christ’s love in our hearts in order to obey the new commandment.  This is identical with the ‘perfect love.’

We can not obey the new command the first day we hear it.  We can immediately obey the Royal Law.  Our love for ourselves already exists.  It is merely a question of redirecting that same love toward our neighbor.  However, loving one another as Christ loves us, can not be accomplished the same day.  To love as Christ loves, takes 1)knowing the love of Christ and 2) growing into that complete love which Christ has.  This surely is a new and beautiful commandment.  This is New Testament discipleship, the aim of the great commission, the purpose of God.

Called to Partake of the Divine Nature

Posted on by BETH

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

What is the divine nature? He tells us plainly that the divine nature is love – God’s love.   “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (I John 4:16).  If God dwells in us, it is divinity dwelling in us.  Love is God’s divine nature.  Christ “is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15).  Jesus said “. . .he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (Jn 14:9).  If we are partakers of the divine nature we are like Christ. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus concluded his teaching on our being like God in love by saying “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).  This also is describing the nature of God and directing us to be partakers of it.

Whether he describes his purpose as making us like Christ, filling us with all of his fulness (he is love), making us partakers of his divine nature, making us perfect, or giving us the perfect love, it is all the same – namely, he wants to form his love in us.  This is the mark, goal, purpose and aim for the race he has set before us.  He describes this mark in yet another way.

PERFECT LOVE

Posted on by BETH

‘Perfection’ in the scriptures seen in the last posts seems to be an abstract description.  In what are we to be perfect?  He identifies his perfection as he describes what it means to be perfect.  “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (I John 4:17). The complete expression is “perfect love.”  The “perfect love” is defined in this scripture as being “as he is,” that is, like Christ.  This is not after judgment day.  He says “Herein is our love made perfect . . . in this world” (I John 4:17).  Earlier the Lord gave the same definition for perfection as being like Christ in his letter to the Ephesians:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph. 4:11-12).

He first lists the gifts Christ gave which comprises the entire teaching force of his church.  Then he describes the purpose of his giving these teachers to the church.  The first purpose listed is “for the perfecting of the saints.”  The word ‘Perfect’ here (katartismos) is the noun form of the same word for perfect in Luke 6:40 (katartizo) – which is to be like Christ.  The teaching force of God’s church was thus to make us like Christ.  This same teaching force wrote the scriptures – which, he states, were written for the same purpose: “All scripture is inspired of God and profitable. . .  That the man of God may be perfect (artios)” (2 Tim. 3:17).

He states this same truth in yet another way.  The description is even more specific in his definition in the next verse.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (Eph. 4:13).

His ultimate purpose – is to go on “unto a perfect man.”  In verse 12 he used the word ‘katartismos’ but in 13 he uses a different Greek word; ‘teleios.’  ‘Teleios’ is the most common word which is translated ‘perfect’ in the New Testament scriptures.  He then defines this word ‘perfection (teleios)’ as being in “. . . the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).  No matter which Greek word is used, perfection is defined as being like Christ.  Nor is that all.  This is the identical purpose he gives in the previous chapter – stated in different terms.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Eph. 3:14-20).

The Lord’s ultimate purpose is that the Ephesians would be “filled with all the fulness of God.”  This is the same as being like Christ.  Christ has all the fulness of God in him (Col. 2:9) for he is “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:1-3).  Whether his disciples are “filled with all the fulness of God,” “partakers of the divine nature,” ‘perfect’ (artios), “perfect” (teleios), or are in “the image Christ,” it is all one and the same.  This is God’s purpose, aim, goal, or mark for the race, for each of his children.  The automatic response is often: “I can’t do it.”  That is correct.  We can not fulfill God’s purpose – alone.  The power is not in man but it is in the God who, immediately after he states his ultimate purpose states that He is: “. . . able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20).

We can not do it, but God can work in us!  What is our part?  He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask!”  We can not do it, but we can ask God to work this in us.  We can ask to become like Christ, and God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask. . .”  We can ask to be rooted and grounded in love and to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.  We can ask to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge.  Our Father is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask. . .”  The power of God is not what is lacking!  The faith in us is what is lacking!  We need to seek and trust him!  If we ask for a fish, he will not give us a scorpion.  If we ask for the heart of Christ, “. . .  how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him” (Matt. 7:11)?  He knows how to give good gifts to his children.  He knows how to give eternal gifts (2 Cor. 4:18) which includes the hope of glory, which is Christ in us (Col. 1:27).  This was Paul’s ultimate goal. Paul pointed to this very mark in his description of his race to the mark (for the prize).

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12)

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Col. 1:28).

Paul’s aim for all of God’s children was to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”  If that were Paul’s goal, it ought to be our goal also.  This was God’s purpose, for Paul said: “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Col. 1:29). God was working mightily in Paul for the same purpose – to present every man perfect in Christ.  The Hebrew writer encouraged God’s children to go on unto the same goal: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection” (Heb. 6:1).  Paul told the Corinthians: “For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection” (2 Cor. 13:9). “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect” (2 Cor. 9:11). Paul’s testified to his fellow-laborer’s prayer: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12). James shows God’s highest purpose for each of his children when he says:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).

Peter was used to teach the very same purpose:

 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (1 Pet. 5:10).

John tells how to attain perfection and shows the power it has on judgment day: “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him”  (I John 2:5).

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us (I John 4:12).

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world (I John 4:17).

One major reason that the New Testament was required to replace the Old Testament is because the Old Testament law could not make the comers perfect.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (Heb. 7:11) “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God” (Heb. 7:19).

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience (Heb. 9:9).

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Heb. 10:1)

Four times the Lord states that the reason there had to be a new covenant is because the Old Testament could not make a man perfect.  What was his goal in the Old Testament?  What is his goal now?  Paul was used to show us that the New Testament scriptures were given for that very purpose, “That the man of God may be perfect” (2 Tim. 3:17).  Thus far we have seen that God used Matthew, Luke John, Paul, Peter, James and (if it were not Paul) the writer of the Hebrew letter, to direct us to go on unto perfection.  Keep in mind that “perfection” in the scripture is to be like Christ (Luke 6:40).

NEW TESTAMENT PERFECTION

Posted on by BETH

No man can be perfect in the world’s definition of perfection.  However, God’s ‘perfection’ and the world’s ‘perfection’ are not the same ‘perfection.’  The world tends to define the word ‘perfect’ as ‘never making a mistake.’  Some insist that if a man were perfect like Christ he could never have sinned at any time during his lifetime.  To live an entire lifetime without sinning even once is impossible, for: “For all hav sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).  This is not the Lord’s definition of perfection.

Someone may ask why there is such a determination to teach perfection.  The obvious answer is because it is part of the whole counsel of God.  Who would not want to teach everything the Lord teachers.  Second, it is a command of God (Matt. 5:48; Heb. 6:1).  Third, Paul’s aim was to ”. . . present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). Fourth, this word incorporates descriptions of the pathway of spiritual growth (Eph. 4:12,13, James 1:2-4).  Before we consider the pathway, we first need to have a more complete picture of the goal itself.

Jesus gives his own definition of perfection.  “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master” (Luke 6:40)  This is a general description which applies to all masters.  Perfection for any disciple is being “as his master” (Luke 6:40). John the Baptist and the Pharisees made disciples (Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33).  When John the Baptist’s disciples were finished, they were like John, and the Pharisees’ disciples were like the Pharisees. “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord” (Matt. 10:24,25).  Jesus’ disciples would naturally be like Jesus when they were completed.  In line with this purpose he said “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5) and “. . . arm yourselves likewise with the same mind . . .” (Pet. 4:1, 2).  If we obey the command to have the mind of Christ, we will be that much like Christ.

Jesus called for disciples to follow him in order to become like him.  Before they could be like him they had to know him.  Jesus called for men to know him.  He said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me” (Matt. 11:28-30).  The disciple can not become like Christ unless he first knows what he is.  Jesus described what they should learn about him: “. . .for I am meek and lowly in heart.”  If his disciples follow him, they also will become meek and lowly in heart, like their master.  “And Jesus increased in wisdom. . .” (Luke 2:52).  Jesus disciples will also seek to grow in wisdom as their master did.  Jesus said: “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth” (John 17:19).  He left his disciples an example so they would sanctify themselves.  “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). Jesus learned to obey by suffering.  His disciples will also follow his example and learn obedience by being willing to suffer what Jesus suffered.  What did Jesus suffer in order to learn obedience?   “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18). “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:18-21).  Jesus did not suffer so that we would not have to suffer.  He left “us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”  The scriptures inform us that Jesus was not born ‘perfect’ but was “made perfect” (Heb. 5:9). “For it became him, for whom are all things . . . to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10; 5:9).  Jesus is the captain of our salvation.  He was ‘made perfect’ by the things which he suffered.  He “suffered being tempted” (Heb. 2:18). “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).  Jesus’ faithful disciples will grow to be perfected by following in his steps.

THE FINISH LINE

Posted on by BETH

Paul points to perfection as the mark toward which he is running (Phil. 3:12).  Some are running for heaven or the crown of life.  If we run directly for the crown on the judge’s stand, we will surely be disqualified.  He says that those who run must run according to the rules or they will not get the crown (2 Tim. 2:5).  We can not run directly ‘to’ the crown – eternal life.  The prize is not the finish line. Paul said he was running “toward the mark for the prize.”  When he crossed the finish line, only at that time did he win the crown.  He did not earn it, nor was it free.  He had to run hard to win it.  When Paul was writing to the Corinthians about 54 AD, he had not ‘apprehended’ the crown (1 Cor. 9:24-26).  Even about nine or ten years later, in 62 AD, he wrote to the Philippians stating:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Phil 3:12,13)

Paul had not apprehended the crown six years before he died.  He had been apprehended so that he could apprehend the crown, but he had not won it at that time.  He was still running hard.  He was forgetting everything behind and pressing toward the mark for the prize, which is the crown (Phil. 3:14).

Paul used an interesting expression for what he was running toward.  First, he says he had not attained the resurrection of the dead (Phil. 3:12,13).  We understand that “the resurrection of the dead” and “the crown of life” go hand in hand.  He was aiming to ‘attain’ to the resurrection of the dead.  At the same time that he is running in order to attain the resurrection of the dead, he states that he is not yet perfect.  This time he uses the verb form of the word complete (teleios).

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:12).

He said that he had not been perfected, but was obviously running in that direction.  This testifies that Paul is not a hypocrite!   He was seeking to present every man perfect (teleios) but he was seeking for the same thing himself (Col. 1:28).  We note what it takes to present every man perfect.  He says that it takes preaching and warning each one in ‘all’ wisdom (Col. 1:28).  This is not a simple process.  God himself was working mightily in Paul to accomplish that task in all of his children.  Should we also not be aiming to present every man perfect in Christ like Paul and God (Col. 1:29)?

The word ‘wisdom’ is, at times, not understood in it’s immediate context in James 1:5.  Many talk about receiving wisdom from God, but what is the context?  What wisdom does our Lord offer us?  The context is the subject he gives in the three verses before.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect andentice, wanting nothing  (James 1:2-4).

The Lord has a pathway for growing to be ‘perfect and entire, wanting nothing.’  We need wisdom to accomplish the Lord’s eternal purpose.  This is not wisdom for our own purposes and goals – but God’s.  Paul mentioned the same goal many times (2 Cor. 13:9, Gal. 3:3, Col. 4:12, etc.).  Peter was also aiming for the same mark for the Christians (1 Pet. 5:10): as was Luke (Luke 6:40), John (1 John 4:17,18), James (James 1:2-4), and the Hebrew writer (Heb. 2:10, 6:1-3).  If we are faithful and are preaching the whole truth, the whole counsel of God, we will be free of the blood of all men (Acts 20:26).  If we preach the whole truth, we will surely have the same purpose and goal in mind that Paul had.