THOSE WHO YEARN FOR PERFECTION

As I draft this final article for the 2025 faith challenge, I want to emphasise that faith is only valuable to those who seek a better resurrection than what human effort and logic can procure.

Our Bible reading is from Hebrews 11:1-40 and here's an excerpt that sums up the goal of this faith challenge very well:

'And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: ' - Hebrews 11:32-39 (KJV)

The heroes of faith, despite not receiving the objects of their faith in their lifetime, persevered. They refused to settle for an inferior version of the vision they saw. Their continuous pursuit of perfection was a more righteous attainment than a premature declaration of victory to appear successful before men. Their perseverance should inspire us to keep striving for our own faith goals.

Once in a while, I meet an old friend, and they are amazed that my ideals and aspirations haven't changed much over the years and that I am still saying things I said back in college while "the reality of real life has jolted most folks." The simple question I ask is this: Using any metric you like, in what way is their life better than mine?

Thankfully, we have an advantage over the men and women in Hebrews 11. The Messiah has now brought us the salvation they could only dream of, and attaining most of God's promises in this lifetime is now priced in. This should fill us with gratitude and hope. Their template remains the standard for everyone who loves God and seeks to please Him, but we have the added advantage of the Messiah's salvation.

Noah kept building the ark for 500 years. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in tents despite being wealthy enough to buy or build walled cities because they only wanted the one God had gifted them. Folks refused plea bargains and instead settled for glorious deaths.

This year, don't make it about just the material things themselves. Instead, focus on the attainment of the vision you saw at the beginning. Strive for the vision that God will commend you for, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This should inspire and motivate you to pursue your vision with determination.

If what you seek is just the comfort or feeling that comes from ownership or achievements, then you probably don't need the faith of God. You don't need faith for a car; get a job, then apply for an auto loan. Organise your finances and get a mortgage if it's about your home. Ditto most other material blessings

However, for those of us who groan daily for perfection, we spent the month of January praying and fasting, giving God the first fruit that opened the womb of the year. We spent the second month refreshing, clarifying, and realigning our focus, mission, and vision through this faith challenge. Our goal was to define our endgame and what success or failure would look like so we would know when we achieved it.

Now, I urge you to go all out for the perfection God promised you. Do not settle.

Settling for or doing anything other than what God promised you and that you accepted by faith will be lawless, making this a failed year. This year, you will win the war and succeed in your pursuits, and your prosperity will be grounded in God's perfect will for you in Jesus' mighty name.

#Amen