BE YE PERFECT!

15th SEPTEMBER 2022

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

For Christians, the course of your journey through life is already mapped out under the footsteps of Jesus Christ, our Lord and saviour! You have to carry your cross along the way! The Master told the young seeker of truth, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, then come carry your cross, and follow me” (Ref. Mark 10:17-21). Ordinarily, to carry one’s cross and follow the Master means that we should leave behind all the allurements and temptations of life, and follow the footsteps of the Master and strive towards perfection (Ref: Matthew 5:48). It also means that, notwithstanding the problems that we face in life, we should still believe in God and follow Jesus in faith and obedience.

Problems and temptations will arise at some point in life; you must not quit the path of salvation and decide on your own course. Jesus himself fell under the weight of the cross a few times on His way to crucifixion. At some points, he was assisted in carrying the cross by others.  Therefore, you will also fall from time to time under the weight of temptations and problems; But Jesus says despite this, you must follow him! The good news is that; He who has commanded us has given us the grace to be children of God. Therefore, if you strive to carry your cross daily to follow Jesus, He will give you the grace and power to move through the eternal journey of salvation! His grace is always sufficient for us! 

 In that example, the Master is not quarrelling with anyone being wealthy per se, “but He has a problem with being possessive”. Here, the Master is drawing a difference between “being possessive.” and being rich. To be possessive of wealth is to be attached to riches above everything and go through life as if wealth is everything. But the fact is that you must not compromise your values no matter how comfortable you have become, for it is written that man must not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God. However, if you are wealthy, then you must apply your wealth for the good of everyone! Hence the Master says to the young fellow, ‘go, sell what you have and give to the poor, then pick up your cross and follow me. To pick one’s cross and follow Jesus is to undergo a process of inner transformation  whereby on a daily basis, we can nail onto our inner cross all our moral weaknesses.

For instance, if impure thoughts to do harm to another or become disobedience to God should cross your mind, you are expected to take hold of that weakness and nail them onto your inner cross. There are so many thoughts that come to your mind daily to do what is not right; But do not let such thoughts take root and grow in your heart.

Let your mind guard the door of your heart and decide what comes through. When a sinful thought pops up in your mind for the first time, it is a temptation – a “suggestion” from the devil. But you can choose to deny the thought access to your heart! In practice, that means that you disagree with it as soon as you become aware of the thought. You don’t dwell on it. The thought meets a firm “no” in your mind. You don’t permit the thought to pass through your mind and come into your heart. NOT allowing sinful thoughts to gain control of our hearts is one way we take up our cross daily. The good news is that when you take up your cross and deny the sinful thoughts that come to mind access to your heart, you will actually cease to sin! You will become gradually transformed by the renewal of your mind! Jesus wants us to be like Him! This, of course, is a daily exercise, for we must strive daily towards a perfect lifestyle in Christ Jesus.

Today’s word tells us to strive daily towards perfection, following Jesus no matter how difficult the journey might seem. That is what the Master expects from us. The good news remains that if we accept to follow Jesus while carrying our cross, He will give us the grace and power to move through life smoothly.

PRAYERS

 Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for your word today. Father deliver me from my weaknesses and give me the strength to grow in the Spirit. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 16:24-26