Friday, 26 April 2024
PERFECT WITHOUT DEFECTS
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (Acts 3:16).
I want you to notice the expression "perfect soundness" in our opening verse. It's rendered from the Greek word "holokleria", which means a perfect state of health; a condition of health with no problems whatsoever. This is God's desire for you, and it's one of the many blessings of living in and by the Name of Jesus.
James 1:4 expresses a similar thought; it talks about being "perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The term translated "entire" is "holokleros," the verb form of "holokleria." It implies being perfectly sound, complete without blemish. What a life!
Then, to make this happen, God gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of life, to keep us perfectly sound. Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Hallelujah!
In the previous verse 10, it says, "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10 NIV). Christ in you, the Holy Spirit in you, guarantees you perfect soundness of spirit, soul and body.
It brings to mind Peter's encounter with Aeneas who had been crippled for 8 years. All Peter said to him was, "...Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately" (Acts 9:34). Aeneas was restored to a perfect state of health because Peter understood the transcendent power of the Name of Jesus and Christ living in us.
As a Christian, Christ lives in you, and you live in Him. Your faith in His Name and consciousness of His indwelling presence will keep you in perfect soundness. Glory to God!
PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for making me perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I'm righteous, holy, unblameable and unreprovable in your sight, to the glory and praise of your Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 1:4 AMPC
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 22:1-38 & 1 Samuel 26-28
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 16:1-11 & Psalm 133-134