Colossians 1:28

PERFECTION IN CHRIST

‘That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.’

Colossians 1:28

‘Present!’ To whom? To the world? To the Church? To Christ, when He comes, in the assembly of the universe? Was this part of the Apostolic office? Will it be an Apostolic office at the last day? Can it ever be mine?

It is a solemn thought for you and for me; and more solemn still when I think how we are to ‘present’ you—‘ perfect’—‘perfect in Christ Jesus.’

But perfection is progressive.

I. Progression lies very much in motives.—What you have to do is to purify your motive and your resolution.

II. Prayer, again, is a great field for growth.

III. And the conflict with some besetting sin.

IV. And if to this you add a growing humility—self lower and lower every day, that Christ may be higher; Christ only, Christ ever, Christ all; and in Christ a childlike confidence and a holy, reverent joy; then you are getting nearer to the goal—you are close to the goal; ‘perfection’ is not far off. A few more steps, a little more struggling, and you will be at home.

Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustration

‘The largest mind, perhaps, that ever lived felt that he was “only picking up a few pebbles on the shore of truth”; and the great painters of antiquity were wont to record their sense of the incompleteness of their work by an inscription which, translated from the Latin, meant, not “I did it,” but “ I was doing it.” Not finished! “I was doing it.” And in, both lives—the intellectual and spiritual—the development and increase are things very quick, very evident at the beginning, while, as they approach to the last and exquisite finish, the labour is greater, but it makes very, very little show.’