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These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.
(Gen 6:9) For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.(1Ki 11:4) But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.(1Ki 15:14) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?(Job 1:8) INTRODUCTIONA man is a product of his heart. Whatever a man becomes is a direct function of heart. Hence, God does not look at any man base on the outward manifestation, even though, what we manifest goes to show the kind of person we are. 1Sam. 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. God is the judge of perfection. He determines who has attained perfection and who has not. God does not see the way man sees. In measuring perfection, God is not always concern Himself with the past life a man had lived but how readily he able to follow on. God sees through the heart of a man and not the outward appearance. What God therefore call perfection is different from what man calls perfection, especially if we consider the lives of the above characters of whom God accredited as being perfect before Him. WHAT THEN DOES IT MEAN TO BE PERFECT OR WHAT IS PERFECTION? Perfection is not a one-off-thing but a continuous process. It is a continuous improvement on something with the view of making it better each time it is seen or observed. Perfection is a conscious and deliberate effort. Matt. 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. A perfect man is the one who consciously, through the help of God, continuously working out his life and checking it with the word of God as a standard measurement. He checks his heart from time to time to see that he aligns with the will of God at all time. Perfection starts from the heart and ends in the heart. It is suffice to therefore say that the heart of a perfect man is perfect. There is no perfection if the heart is not perfect. 2chr. 25:2And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. PARABLE OF SOWER Jesus parable of sower is a direct comment on the different conditions of the heart of man. The question is, what kind of heart do you possess? The condition of your heart must be perfect this year, otherwise, you may be heading nowhere as far as perfection is concerned. Jesus categorise every heart that hears the word of God into four (4) groups. But only one of them can be good enough to produce a perfect heart. You can change your heart today if you will allow God to work in your heart. Ezek. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. WHAT GOD SEES IN THE HEART OF A PERFECT MAN OR HOW CAN I BECOME PERFECT When God scans through the heart of a perfect man, He sees all but not limited to the following: 1. Studying and allowing the word of God to direct your life. Josh. 1:8, 2Peter. 1:19
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:8)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
(2Peter 1:19)
2. Renewing the mind. Rom. 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. Pursuing excellence in righteousness. Matt. 5:20
For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Waiting on God in prayers and, sometimes in fasting
5. Be engaged in the service of God. Be occupied working in the vineyard of God. If you are too big to follow, you will be too little to serve.
6. Be willing to take every single step of yours after Jesus Christ through the leading of Holy Spirit. He is our perfect example. 1Pet. 2:21, Jhn. 13:15
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:8)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
(2Peter 1:19)
2. Renewing the mind. Rom. 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. Pursuing excellence in righteousness. Matt. 5:20
For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Waiting on God in prayers and, sometimes in fasting
5. Be engaged in the service of God. Be occupied working in the vineyard of God. If you are too big to follow, you will be too little to serve.
6. Be willing to take every single step of yours after Jesus Christ through the leading of Holy Spirit. He is our perfect example. 1Pet. 2:21, Jhn. 13:15
PASTOR OLUFEMI ATODE
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