PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

AUGUST 21

 

Colossians 1:28

Whom we preach, warning every man, and

teaching every man in all wisdom;

that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

 
The believer painfully proves that he is imperfect in himself.
 
Imperfection appears to be stamped upon all he feels,
  upon his desires—his joys—and sorrows, and
  upon all he does, on his prayers—his praises—and all his performances.
 
What says the sigh, which escapes from his full heart?
 
Imperfect.
 
What says the groan, which ascends from his troubled bosom?
 
Imperfect.
 
What says the tear, which glistens in his eye, or rolls down his cheek?
 
Imperfect.
 
But there is perfection in Christ.
 
In him there is a perfect atonement, to reconcile us.
 
A perfect righteousness, to justify us.
 
Perfect holiness, to sanctify us.
 
Perfect wisdom, to direct and instruct us.
 
We become perfect by union to him, for as his bride we have fellowship with him in all that he has, by receiving from him, for of his fulness we receive and grace for grace.
 
By his being with him, for we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
 
Our full perfection is decreed, promised, provided for, and will be realized.
 
Christ now represents us a perfect, he will make us perfect, and then present us in full perfection.
 

With him his members on the tree,

Fulfilled the laws demands;

‘Tis “I in them, and they in me,

For thus the union stands.”

 
James Smith