TCH MINI-STUDY 27
CHRISTIAN MATURATION MOVES TOWARD CHRISTLIKENESS AND PERFECTION
Therefore leaving the principles
of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection [completge in labor, growth, and mental and moral character]; not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God (Heb 6:1).
Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren,
I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press [diligently pursue to the point of being persecuted, to follow after] toward the mark [goal] for
the prize [award, reward] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Php 3:12-14).
Blessed are they which do hunger [to pine
after, to crve] and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled [progressively filled, supplied in abundance, satisfied]
(Mat 5:6).
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily (Col 1:28-29).
And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure
of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).
And he said, So is the kingdom
of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow
up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in
the ear (Mar 4:26-28).
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2).
Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fulness of Christ: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love (Eph 4:13-16).
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven: A time to
be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time
to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time
to
break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away
stones, and
a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to
refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to
lose; a time to keep,
and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to
keep silence, and a time to speak; A time
to love, and a time to hate; a
time of war, and a time of peace”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are
mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness
of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be
as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word
of the Holy One of Israel"
(Isaiah 5:20-24).
LET HIM RETURN UNTO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY UPON HIM
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while
he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have
mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon"
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOUR
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into
such a city, and continue
there a year, and buy and sell, and
get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? It is even a vapour,
that appeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought
to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and
do this, or
that”
(James 4:15).