The Body of Christ, The Perfect Man

[Mr. M]

The Body of Christ was spread out over what we call time by the sprinkling of the blood of the Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world. Not until every soul is perfected through the sufferings of Christ will the Body be perfected.

Hebrews 11:40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Revelation 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.

Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, were tempted, and were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.

Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

What precisely is being made perfect?

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

This is the Spirit of Obedience.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Is that you?

Edited March 28, 2023 by Mr. M
amend title

[Mr. M]

3 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

[Mr. M]

5 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

This is the Spirit of Obedience.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

If you are walking in the Spirit of Obedience, there will always be a season

of suffering, followed by a season of comfort. This is required for ministry.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

[Mr. M]

29 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

If you are walking in the Spirit of Obedience, there will always be a season

of suffering, followed by a season of comfort.

This knowledge allows you to accept these seasons as from the Lord working for our good.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Edited March 27, 2023 by Mr. M
cosmetic

[AnOrangeCat]

I came into this topic right out of writing a letter to a friend. Wow. There's a long and involved tale of how I met him. I won't get into it here as it's off topic, but I talked about my own spiritual and personal growth in the year and a month since around the time I met him. I told him about what God has been doing in my life since then and said that there's still work yet to be done on me. I shared Philippians 1:6 with him and it seems fit for here, too: And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

[Mr. M]

The First Epistle of Peter, and the sufferings of the children of obedience.

1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.

2:19-21 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.

17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

12-16 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 

[Mr. M]

13 minutes ago, AnOrangeCat said:

I came into this topic right out of writing a letter to a friend. Wow. There's a long and involved tale of how I met him. I won't get into it here as it's off topic, but I talked about my own spiritual and personal growth in the year and a month since around the time I met him. I told him about what God has been doing in my life since then and said that there's still work yet to be done on me. I shared Philippians 1:6 with him and it seems fit for here, too: And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

For many who have not entered into the sufferings of Christ, this may be the most important thread they have to contend with in quite some time. This is eating His flesh and drinking His blood; the Fellowship of His Sufferings.

53 Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

[Mr. M]

Ephesians 4:13 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 fullness of Christ.

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.