SPIRITUAL POSTING, November, 2019, from Rev. Bill Charles
One of the many enjoyable gifts Marge and I received during Pastor Appreciation Month was “Morning by Morning” a book of one-minute devotions culled from the work of 19th-century British pastor-theologian Charles H. Spurgeon. There is one for each day of the year—including February 29th! Since we are the better part of two months removed from January 1st, I looked to see what of Rev. Spurgeon’s work had been chosen for my birthday, January 28th: “You are not perfect.” Well, that seemed a little blunt, but I can hardly argue the point. The text went on: “You know that in your soul.” At this point I was feeling a bit singled out. The assigned scripture verse for the day was part of Colossians 1:28 (for 1/28, no less). (It says, “Perfect in Christ” [KJV] in the devotional book, but the New International Version of the Bible reads, “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”)
At this point I can’t help noticing that my “one-minute devotion” has gone into overtime, big-time. I suppose “fully mature” is comparable to perfection. Here I am, a septuagenarian, neither perfect nor fully mature. At least, though, I’m not alone. I have only to hear and read the news to know that.
Despite my fallen state, Spurgeon insists that I should take “comfort” in “my sad situation.” Thanks to Christ Jesus, I’m “perfect in Christ,” I’m accepted by God. And down the line I’ll experience perfection, part two, when the stain of sin is removed from me as well as the rest of the world, “presented faultless before God’s throne.”
Until that time, we live in hope and need. God help us in our earthly pilgrimage.
Picture: The little book is pictured here with its attractive cover. “Morning by Morning” evokes the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” While our faithfulness is suspect, God’s can be counted upon to more than make up the difference.
Prayer: Holy God, help me comprehend the nature of my imperfection and accept the reality of who I am. Beyond that, help me with wisdom, love, and diplomacy to remind those who have forgotten or ignored their imperfect state that we are sinners who are in this together. Amen.
