Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "perfect". As with many English words used in the Bible, there are a few Greek words translated perfect. We will be looking at the one found in these verses from the English Standard Version: John 17:23:


23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.


2 Corinthians 12:9:


9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."


Philippians 3:12:


12 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.


This is the Greek word "teleioo". Strong's Concordance says: to complete, to accomplish, to consummate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to carry through completely; to accomplish, to finish, bring to an end; to add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full; to bring to the end (goal) proposed; to bring to a close or fulfillment. In John 17:23 we see that the reason for the Holy Spirit living is us is to cause us to be made complete, to be in unity with Him. This reminds me of Philippians 1:6 (Amplified):


6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.


It is HIS work to cause us to become like Him, but He can only do that when we cooperate by spending time in the Word and in His presence. So many people strive to be a "better Christian" when He simply desires that we love Him and His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to complete the work He began! Our spirits are made perfectly in His image at the New Birth. The "perfecting" that He does is with our souls (mind, emotions, and will). In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we see that His strength will take over when we get to the end of ours! There isn't anything that we can't accomplish with this in mind! Look at Philippians 4:13 (Amplified):


13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].


He "infuses" us with His strength! We can count on it! Then Philippians 3:12 shows us that being made "perfect" in Him is a life-long process of growing up in the things of God! We will not "arrive" at this completeness until we see Him face to face, but we can get closer every day! It has been such a blessing to see the growth in you and in your family! To hear Avery talk and sing about Jesus is evidence of the importance that you and Kristine are giving to HIM! Here is a group I just found out about called Go Deep with the song "My Righteousness":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!