“You’re Destiny – God’s Will and Purpose”

Chapter Twelve

“God like Perfection”

As called ones, called by God for a divine purpose, a path leads us into a place of complete joy and peace. This joy and peace of a Godlike portion comes as a fruit produced from a tree called “Perfection.” A tree whose roots spring forth from the “tree of life” which dwells in the midst of the garden of God, the Holiest of All. Do we have the right to ask for and expect to eat of this tree? Can we expect perfection that produces such a life of joy and peace? The voice of the Father rings loud and clear for us in Matt. 5:48, which declare, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This is a statement of fact, fulfilled, because the heavenly Father commands it. To identify with such a request as this, we must consider the truth of this fact; we must touch the same heavens in which the Father dwells. This heaven must be our only source wherein we can become the fulfilled and the expression of God’s command to be perfect. Because God is our Father, He is the only source of our newborn life. This life originates from a source other than our earthly father. It is natural for sons and daughters to take on their earthly fathers characteristics; therefore, it should not seem strange or far-fetched to expect characteristics of our heavenly Father to manifest themselves through His sons.

Our measuring stick for this type of perfection comes from the perfection of the Father Himself. God’s perfection, the expression of His nature is the same nature birthed in us. This nature is ours as we abide in those same heavenly places as Christ. “Be ye therefore perfect”, with the word “perfect” being the Greek word “TELEIOS” meaning “that which has reached its end. Nothing beyond; hence perfect, in the sense of initiated.” Therefore, that life which had its beginning when we came out of God, before man’s fall in the Garden of Eden, shall be ours again by receiving the Christ within. That life from God will continue to mature until it comes to the ending of its maturing process. Herein is the place of our perfection, the end being that which expresses our being made perfect, even as the Father is perfect. Could this not mean complete deliverance and transformation for our spirit, soul, and body? Did not the first-born Son achieve that place in the Father? His purpose is that all the other sons would likewise come into that same place of dwelling, made perfect by having reached the end of God’s purpose for them.

God’s many promises, which are ours by inheritance, are those hidden mysteries, hidden from the understanding of worldly-minded vessels. However, through revelation, many people, throughout the years, as well as some today, have and are receiving understandings concerning these hidden truths. For what purpose do they receive? They receive that they might become the visible expression of each promise. Paul writing in I Cor. 2:6-7 declares, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world [age], nor of the princes of this world [age], that come to naught: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” Unto those who declare that perfection is an unreachable state this side of death, consider this truth. 1 John 3:2 says, “… we know that, when he shall appear [brings to light, make manifest], we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is”. Even as Paul saw Christ on that road to Damascus, likewise a people are again seeing Him today. As they see Him as He is (perfect), they become like Him (perfect). Thus, hidden wisdom seen produces visible manifestations. Our eyes and ears began to behold and hear from another realm, the heavenlies. Wisdom that was ordained before this world (age), is to be brought forth, expressed through a people and ministered unto this world. Who is it that sees, receives, and knows this wisdom of perfection? Is it not for those who are maturing, even as God is mature, to declare His glory unto this evil world.

However, there is a prerequisite set before us in coming into this place of perfection. We must “love” God beyond all else. 1 Cor. 2:9-10 states, “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea the deep things of God.” This word “love” in this scripture is the Greek word “AGAPAO” which means, “to regard with favor, to make much of a thing or person, or principle.” Thus, to those who favor God above all else, He reveals Himself and manifest Himself to them. He makes known to them that which He is and that which His principles are, that each may mature into His likeness, His nature. Therefore, to love God with all your heart, your mind, soul, and body means the ability to become even as He is, perfect.

(Read Phil. 2:5-21), with verse 5 saying, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Let or think the same things as God. Let God’s thoughts become your thoughts. Think on God’s thoughts, which are in you, in your heart, even as they are also in Christ Jesus. What were His thoughts? Where did His mind dwell, Christ Jesus was captivated by a certain truth that was the source of His motivation and remained His only desire. Phil. 2:6 describes His thought processes by saying, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Notice and understand that Christ Jesus’ “being” was the essential form of God, including all the qualities which became visible to the natural eye of man. Because He was the visible expression of God in the flesh, He thought it not robbery or a usurping of authority to be of the mind to think of Himself as equal with God, the Father. Strongly consider this truth, the equality of being one with God came from seeing and hearing the revealed Father. “As we see Him as He appears [is made manifest], we shall become like Him”. Equality is a great word that, in this context, speaks of being God like, but not God. Therefore, we, His body become perfect as we see Him.

Our state of mind and “our being” remains pure by letting our mind dwell upon these things, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”. (Phil. 2:14-15). God’s requirements are not to be the exception, but commonplace, in that a people believe, trust, and obey God’s word with expectancy by faith. A faith that realizes that God’s word, with us in obedience, causes us to become the fulfillers of His will and purpose. Herein His word returns unto Him completely fulfilled. Herein we become “blameless” which means “irreproachable” in this context. Does this not mean that, in our place in God, the world cannot touch us? By our becoming “harmless”, a word from this scripture, which means, “unmixed, innocent”? By our casting aside a double standard and becoming of one mind with Him, having a single eye before God and by not being corrupt, but innocent, we become untouchable. “Innocent” in that a people become spiritual virgins, pure and undefiled before God, as they obey and follow Him and Him alone. No longer living under the canopy of mixture and in-part truths, but by knowing our place and our calling in God we are free to become the “sons of God.”

The word “son” in this context, is the Greek work “TEKNON” which means, “that which is born, to bring forth. Used of a child by natural descent, whether boy or girl”. Thus, no longer obligated to our natural lineage, but birthed of God our Father. It is stated of these sons (children), that they are growing up and becoming a people “without rebuke and blameless”. Does this not sound as if we shall see a people birthed from God in whom nothing of this world (age) can touch? A world as described in the above scripture, as being “a crooked and perverse nation.” “Crooked,” a word as used in this scripture means “warped, untoward.” It is from this type of generation that we are to save ourselves from in Acts 2:40 “… save yourselves from this untoward [warped] generation.” The word “perverse” as used from above means “to corrupt, to distort, misinterpret.” These points to a generation, which has taken the pure gospel of Christ, the Word, and misinterpreted, distorted and corrupted it. They interpret and distort it to suit their own blinded doctrines and traditions. This generation promotes, “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.” This means there are a people who refused to hear and see the word, the gospel that ministers to the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. This word is a gospel that can and does set aside man’s corruption and mortality! Could it be that we are not seeing, in the minds of most Christendom, victory in all areas of man because the Word is misinterpreted, corrupted and distorted? Can we not hear a call coming forth, a trumpet sounding, to come out from among mixture, to seek God for a pure word and began to fellowship with a pure people? A people made pure because they are seeing Him, the one that is pure.

Continuing with this context in Phil. 2:15, “… among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” This phrase is a present tense statement. While among or in the midst of this perverse generation, we are to “shine” as lights, not in the distant future or some kind of future event, but now. “To shine” is the Greek word “PHAINO” which means “to shine forth, so as to be seen: having reference to the manner in which a matter presents or shows itself, independently of any observer. Hence, the word used, “phenomenon”. This is telling us that we are to be of such a phenomenon, that our shining forth will be as extra-ordinary or the supernatural. The matter at hand, in this context, is the visible expression of an invisible God. This shining forth is independent of the observers, for our source is from God, the Father, alone. He is our only source. Our shining is to be as “lights,” from the Greek word “PHOSTER” meaning “a light, or light-giver, used of star light, and light holders or bearers”. Speaking to us of a source of light, so supernatural, that it shines forth in the midst of a perverse generation, a world of darkness.

Phil. 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life: that I may rejoice ….” “Holding forth” speaks of the purpose of and the manifestation of the light. This word “word” as used here is the Greek word “LOGOS” which means “the word (spoken as a means or instrument); the expression.” Thus, we have a people holding for the spoken word, which brings forth the expression of “life.” “Life,” which is the Greek word “ZOE,” means “life in all its manifestations. It is life in activity, and thus especially is the opposite of death. It involves resurrection life and eternal life; and hence is the gift of God.” Thus, we have a people declaring, but also manifesting the resurrected, eternal life of God. This means corruption and death in all its forms will flee. God’s light and life will be the manifestation of His sons, expressing God’s Word, not in spoken word only, but also in the power of eternal life.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Purposed by God for us to be perfect, He gave gifts of ministries to the church, for the bringing forth of such perfection. (Read Eph. 4:11-16). Verse 12 declares that God has given such ministries to the church because He desires the perfection of the people, “for the perfecting of the saints,” the church. This word “perfecting,” in this context, is a word from the Greek verb “KATARTIZO” which has the meaning of “to arrange or set in order, adjust.” In scripture, this word is rendered thirteen times as mend, prepare, frame, restore, and make perfect, perfected, fit, perfect, and perfectly joined. With a people being re-connected to the place they had in God from before the foundation of the world, we see that scripture points to the fact that a people are to come forth from among the perverse world and its activities to become Christ-like. This Christ likeness, not reserved until the coming of some event that takes place in the future, but is an ongoing expression manifesting itself progressively in the now. What must change to bring such a manifestation forth? Could it be a need for change in our mind-set, our thought life, our knowing who we really are in God? Thus, we have a God who is ever present, working in the now.

Verse 13 of Eph. 4 continues to speak of this expression of perfection by declaring, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” This word “knowledge” speaks to us of more that something mental or intellectual, but its full meaning denotes “precise or further knowledge, thorough acquaintance with; true knowledge, Full, or perfect knowledge”. Whom does this thorough acquaintance apply but to a people who are coming to know, in a full and perfect experience, the Son of God? They are becoming a people who express “unto a perfect man.” The perfect man is a life-style that manifest, in the now, a complete, full-grown vessel that has reached its place of perfection. The measuring stick for us is, “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” With each, separate part given a measure, a limited portion, by degree, as chosen in God, degreed to measure up to the “stature,” a word meaning “maturity, from the same word as a comrade, as big as.” In this, we become co-heirs with Christ Jesus, in maturity, as the “fullness of Christ”. This “fullness” speaks of completion, an adding unto to make up the corporate body of Christ. This is a coming forth, with a like-kind expression to declare that which Christ is. This is a placing into the corporate body, to function without fault, to fulfill your purpose and calling.

Notice that Eph. 4:14 reveals for us a people who cease from their wonderings, who stop pursuing mixture and in-part knowledge by seeking to fulfill that ministry of God’s choosing. “That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”. Here are a people, who do not manifest a perverse state of being, but while walking in this world of darkness, they are not a part of that darkness. Friends, the greater darkness spoken of is not necessarily greatest in the immoral realms and places of our modern day society. Remember, when the light that God has given to individuals and church groups goes out, it becomes the greater darkness. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, they whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23). Where does such greater darkness exist? Could it not be among the religious folks who refuse purification by the revealed Word of God? This refusal causes the light to flicker and go out, to become gross darkness. Meanwhile, among this darken world there is a people who according to Eph. 4:15 which says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ.”

Speaking known truth is that which sets a person free. Meanwhile, anything less than truth will bind a person to deception. Therefore, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, wars on behalf of that one who desires to know the truth. “Truth,” in this context means, “true (as contrasted with what is false). Hence, used of God in that He cannot lie. The opposite of truth is a lie. Truth is very genuine, real, and substantial, as contrasted with that which is fictitious, unreal, shadowy, or symbolical. Is that which has truth for its base and is all that it claims to be”. Speaking the truth then, in this context, is declaring more than words sounded out through the mouth. It is a visible expression of the invisible God manifesting Himself in love. “Love,” as used here has the meaning of “spontaneous love, irrespective of rights”. “Spontaneous” from the dictionary has a complete meaning as to this God-like love that is to flow from each vessel. Spontaneous means “happening or arising without apparent external cause; self-generated, voluntary and impulsive; unpremeditated, unconstrained and unstudied in manner or behavior, growing without cultivation or human labor; indigenous”. The love of God is not the product of an external law, but an inner law, which is from God. God’s love can be accepted or rejected according to man’s choosing. Love is enlarged from itself by the using thereof. For this cause, loving births love that births love to bring forth a greater harvest.

In becoming this love, the requisite to maturity, we “may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ:” Here we see the perfect reason for the body of Christ to “not forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is ….” (Heb. 10:25a). Eph. 2:21 declares, “In whom all the building [not a natural man made wood and stone building] fitly framed together, groweth [maturing, increasing] unto a holy Temple in the Lord”. Our vision should be a one of coming together, to grow-up in Him in all things. This means all things pertaining to our spirit, soul, and body. It means all things that He would lead us to put our hands to. It means never falling short of the vision, maturing up into the Head, heirs and co-heirs with the Christ, the whole body, God’s Temple. Take notice again in Eph. 4:16, “… maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” That which is spontaneous, which can’t be worked up or man inspired, it must be received from God, to increase only in the using, as we reach into God’s heart of love.

In Eph. 4:17-19 we are told, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling has given themselves over into lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness”. This gives for us a warning concerning that which man always partakes of when motivated by desires or lusts. Having vanity of the mind with their understanding darkened which alienates them from the life of God. We are alienated from God by ignorance and blindness of the heart, while doing all things for self through greediness. Which environment are you yielding yourself too? Rest assured, there is a gospel, a people, a religious system that is motivated by man’s own lust and ego. This system only satisfies that for which man desires or covets for self. While perfection that flows from love is lacking, these people abide in a place of darkness and mixture. It promotes the blind leading the blind, where both fall into the ditches of the evil deceptive world. Therein they dwell in the pigpen of humanity, while in the Fathers house there are treasures aplenty.

Unto those who desire to have their eyes open. God will show them the true condition that exists among the religious, carnal Christian circles of today. In Rev. 3:14-19 (read), we have that stated witness of God concerning this condition. “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” The beginning of God, the Fathers creation, in visible form was Christ Jesus; the Word made flesh, a creation that is to continue until all things know restoration according to God’s purpose. The first-born Son of God will see all the other sons being born of the Spirit, to overcome and set with Christ Jesus in his throne. In the process of restoration, the firstborn points out the evil condition, even as it exist today, that man might awaken to the spiritual destitute condition that truly manifest from within himself. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot”. Why would God want His people to be cold or hot? Could it be that by being lukewarm, the in-between, man manifest a mixture that produces only after its own kind? In being full of mixture, where is the true witness?

The truth, cannot be ministered when a mixture between light and darkness deceives the people to that gospel which is not the true gospel? If all that humanity can see is gray areas, where is the darkness in contrast to the light? In this type of environment, our offspring cannot know truth after God’s own kind. God’s purpose is to establish that true witness, the word made flesh again in and through a body of people, to bring forth a real genuine restoration. Because God hates mixture, His purpose is to, “so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth”. Lukewarmness, something that God cannot nor will He receive into Himself. It will never be a part of what God is and rejected until pureness replaces the mixture. To digest food makes it a part of your being, so any mixture from man God cannot nor will He bless nor take into Himself.

However, God extends His love and grace to that lukewarm people. As God describes their true spiritual condition, He desires to bring understanding to those who seek to know the truth. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Being blind to the reality of one’s true spiritual condition deceives a people. However, through increased knowledge beyond the principles of the doctrines of Christ a people become pure. Heb. 6:1a, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation ….”,  by refusing to hear or go on unto perfection, simply gathers a people to a life-less traditional environment which God’s glory has departed from. Even with God’s glory gone, man continues to build, to add to their numbers, and gain the material goods that have taken on value. Nevertheless, those things being valuable are only according to man’s own value system but not God’s. Thus, what a man sees as successful, God deems as valueless. In man’s own eyes he is rich, but in God’s eyes He declares that men “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” The word “Knowest” from the phrase “knowest not,” means, “To know (intuitively) without effort, to understand.”

Hence, we see a people, though religious in practice, they, without understanding or discernment, know not the truth of their spiritual condition. They only have the ability to evaluate themselves by outward appearances, which speaks to them of wealth and increased goods. As they observe with the natural eye, they rest in their spiritual blindness, declaring that they are not in need (doctrinally), for they say they already proclaim the full gospel. In their blindness, they do not know their true spiritual condition that is one of poverty. They are “wretched and miserable,” walking with the wretched one who does not give any real peace, a peace which passeth all understanding. Where is their joy in the Lord? Having a lack of God’s righteousness, they become righteous in themselves. They live under the “letter” of the word, the law of death, instead of the happiness of life in God.

Continuing in verse 17, this people are also “poor.” “Poor” is a word meaning “destitute, and in want”. A truth is that most church orders exist only upon the bare necessities of the doctrines of Christ. Meaning, they refuse to mature spiritually into that place of perfection. While they are not poor in carnal affairs, they remain poor spiritually. Being also “blind and naked”, we see an order of people who have existed on the milk of the word for so long, while being past the age of milk drinkers, they have become spiritually unhealthy. Their spiritual sight has not matured enough to give them the ability to see the spiritual things that God has prepared for them that love and obey Him. In their blindness, they maintain themselves through habitual life-styles ordered after childish religious games, while refusing words of instruction and teachings that will lead them into God’s promised maturity and perfection. Thus, they are naked. Without any spiritual covering and anointing, they, like Adam and Eve, seek for a fig leaf, a man made covering, to hide their nakedness. Having a permissive doctrine, they seek to hide behind their own self-righteousness instead of allowing God’s righteousness to cover them.

God’s love and grace are so amazing. God continually seeks to correct man’s ways by the offering of Himself. Verse 18 encourages men by saying, “I counsel thee to buy of me.” This is a statement spoken to captivate our attention. That which we need from God we cannot buy because we have nothing with which to buy. Our righteousness is as filthy rage and salvation from sin is a free grace gift from God. What then is God declaring? Could it not be that God’s only desire is that we lay down our natural desires, our carnal lives of lust, that we might take true life up again in Him? I think part of the price we pay is our being released from corruption and putting on incorruption. Released from mortality and putting on immortality is not in a future tense, but in the now. We change by seeing, believing and having faith in God through love. A nature that God offers when He declares it as “gold tried in the fire”? Speaking of the deity of God purifying a people, “that thou mayest be rich” (all things being ours in the heavenlies), and not “poor.” We become dressed in “White raiment,” the anointed covering of God’s righteousness, overcoming “the shame of thy nakedness.” Has God not spoken in Matt.7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Does not the Father know those that are His by the covering each wears? Therefore, we must put on His covering even as Jesus said to Peter after Jesus was resurrected, “When thou groweth old [spiritual mature], another shall dress thee”. (Read John 21:15-19).

“Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see”. Spiritual blindness is the result of poor spiritual food, a lack of proper spiritual nutrition to develop the spiritual sight needed to see God. Eyesalve is that “true love for God” which releases healing for the eyes. Love opens blinded eyes to see Him as He is. This word “see” in this context means “to have the power of seeing, to use the eyes, to look at; used of the act of looking, even though nothing be seen: Hence, to observe accurately and with desire”. Thus, love heals and motivates the desires of the vessel to look toward the one loved and see Him accurately. Therein, no longer bound by a poor, naked condition, but a becoming even as Christ is, manifesting His nature for the world to see.

Therefore, friends, “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”, is neither an empty promise nor command. It is a promise given and fulfilled in the saints who have fallen in love with the Father. A love-force that inspires all to overcome, even as it has been promised, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sit down with my Father in His throne”. (Rev. 3:21). Let us each one agree together, in love, that all things from God are completed. Can we not believe that this is a present-tense statement? Therefore, let us love God with all that we are in mind, soul, and body. Let us give ourselves to Him by having faith in His grace to do the work necessary in those that love to follow Him. What direction does your heart felt love take? Does it put God and His purpose above all else? If so, expect largely and God will fulfill.