“Made perfect” (Hebrews 12:23)

There are two kinds of perfection which the Christian needs - the perfection of justification in the Person of Christ, and the perfection of sanctification wrought in him by the Holy Spirit after regeneration. While living on Earth, corruption remains in saints, as every believer can attest. We all struggle with the Old Man, the flesh and evil imaginations. But I rejoice that the day is coming, when God will finish the work which He’s begun; and He’ll present my soul, not only perfect in Christ, but perfect through the Spirit, “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). 

 Can it be true that this sinful heart of mine, will one day be holy even as God is holy? Is it possible, my spirit, which often cries, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24), will one day get past sin and death - that I’ll no longer hear any evil things in my ears, and no unholy thoughts will enter my mind? Oh, happy hour! I can’t wait! When I enter Heaven, the work of sanctification will be finished; but until that moment I must “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:11).

 I long to receive the final purification which will usher me into Heaven. Then, I’ll be able to say, in a double sense, “I’m clean”, through Jesus' blood, and through the Spirit's work. Oh, how grateful I’ll be, for the Holy Spirit to make me fit to stand before my Father in Heaven! But I don’t let this hope of perfection in Heaven make me complacent with my imperfection now. If that was my thinking, it would mean I was never saved; for the Blessed Hope is a purifying influence. 

 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).