Open Heavens August 27, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Sos 1-3

IMPERFECT WORKS

MEMORIZE: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33)

READ: Matthew 12:33-35

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelations 3:2). It is one thing to work for God; It is another thing for Him to accept that service. The Lord rejected the works of the church at Sardis because they were imperfect. He did not say their works were not good enough, but that they did not hit the level of perfection required by God. Should the Lord assess your works today, what would be your score? To be ‘Perfect’ is to be without blemish. Matthew 5:48 says, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. The truth is, you and your works are of the same essence. Your works are part of your fruits, and you are identified by your fruits. It takes a perfect believer to perform a perfect work. When you are perfect at heart, that becomes your standard. You would want to maintain that standard of perfection in all you do. If your works are shoddy, that is exactly how you are. If your works are hardly complete, it is because you are incomplete. An imperfect believer cannot produce a perfect work. It is impossible! Your works are a true product of yourself. This is why you can tell a lot about someone you have never met by examining one or two lines the fellow has written in long hand.

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). How can your works be without blemish? It is by working on yourself. By identifying what you are doing wrong and adjusting to God’s perfect standard. In Revelation 3:3, Jesus told the brethren at the church of Sardis whose works were not perfect to pay attention to the Word of God they have heard, hold it fast and make necessary adjustments. The emphasis is focus on yourself and correct what is wrong. Matthew 12:33 says, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit”.

If your work for Christ is still based on eye service, you are a corrupt tree. If your gifts, contributions, tithes or offerings still have some shades of deceit like Ananais and Sapphira’s, your tree is corrupt. If you do God’s work only when you feel like, you are a corrupt tree. Any comma in your service to Christ not only shows that something is wrong with your service or gift, but with you. Are your works perfect? Work on yourself today. Anyone with imperfect works is a candidate for divine shock, shame and disappointment. That will not be your portion.

ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to make your works acceptable and perfect before Him. Pray for healing of the sick in the hospitals.