|
|
|
|
Bible studies: As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says. Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did. They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures. Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures. Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What does the Apostle Paul mean when He tells us to be "complete" (2 Cor. 10:6; 13:9, 11)? A person who is complete has perfect love coming from a pure heart and a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5, 19). He is constantly showing God’s love to others by his actions (1 John 4:20-21; 3:10, 17-18; Col. 3:17). An incomplete person lives in fear of doing wrong. He is constantly at odds with his nature (Rom. 7:15-16). He wants to do one thing, but God’s word says to do something else. A person who is not yet complete is in the process of realizing, like Paul, that nothing good dwells in him and that he must be set free from his evil nature (Rom. 7:18-19). As long as you are fighting the good fight, overcoming evil by doing good, and practicing righteousness in your daily life to please God, you are abiding in Jesus Christ (John 15:4, 8; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 4:15-16). You are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:4). Your body is alive to righteousness because you are daily putting to death the deeds of the body and living to the Spirit by practicing righteousness (Rom. 8:10, 13). Yes, there will be some suffering involved in this process, but it is only a little (Rom. 8:17-18; 1 Peter 5:10). When you are complete, you will walk in perfect love with no fear inside (1 John 4:18). God will have perfected your faith as a result of your works (James 2:22). Your life will radiate peace (1 Peter 3:11). Your mind will be at peace (Is. 26:3). Others will see the new nature – Christ’s nature - that has been formed in you, and you will be ready to tell others how it happened (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15). Your lips will reveal what is in your heart (Luke 6:45; Psalm 49:3). Because you now have this new nature, you will not hinder others. Instead, you will use this life-saving key of knowledge you have to help others to enter the kingdom of heaven (Luke 11:52). You understand how to force your way into the kingdom that is within you (Luke 16:16; 17:21). You are disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). You know this is the narrow Way that few find because it requires daily discipline on the part of those who are trying to enter it (Matt. 7:14; Luke 13:24; 1 Tim. 4:7). This Way is not hard, but easy and pleasant (Matt. 11:30). Anyone can live this Way (1 Cor. 1:26-28). Now that you know what it means to be made complete, isn’t it time to obey the Lord so that He can make you complete (Luke 6:46; 2 Cor. 13:9, 11)? Wholeheartedly strive to please the Lord and make all your ways pleasing to Him. Persevere in keeping God’s word by serving others to please Him. Remember always that only those who have an honest and good heart are being considered for eternal life (Luke 8:15; John 8:51; 10:26; Rev. 3:10). (Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth. You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.) |