Righteousness Unto Justification of Eternal Life

"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded." -Philippians 3:15 [KJV]

Speaking of righteousness unto justification of eternal life, St. Paul says, “The election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded,” (Romans 11:7.) What were they blinded by? Their own righteousness. This, like a cloud, intercepted the glory of the Sun of righteousness [Christ] from their minds. Their own righteousness prevented them from feeling the want of the righteousness of Christ, to justify them before God. So of perfection. Many are so blinded with their own fancied perfection, that they see not the glorious perfection of Christ, and the way in which sinners in themselves, are absolutely perfect in Him. 

St. Paul just before said, he was not perfect. Now he says, he is perfect. What can he mean? Ironically, say some; by way of severe sarcasm upon those who fancied themselves perfect. Say others, comparatively perfect, with respect to those who were ignorant of Christ: perfect in part, but not in the whole. But, I humbly presume, it is most agreeable to the analogy of faith, to suppose, he here means, what he elsewhere speaks of, “perfect as pertaining to the conscience, by the work of Christ,” (Hebrews 9:9.) 

How are some weak minds puzzled, and others deluded, about perfection! Mind. Here is a perfection, which every believer is possessed of: pertaining to the conscience. This is received and enjoyed there by faith, in the atonement and righteousness of the Son of God. “By Whom we have now received the atonement,” (Romans 5:11.) It is received by faith, and applied to our consciences, so that we have no more conscience of sins, but what we have the perfect atonement of Christ’s blood to plead, and to cleanse us from. 

So of the condemnation of the law. We have the perfect righteousness of Christ to answer it: hence there is now no condemnation to us. Thus, being delivered from wrath, guilt, and condemnation, by the perfect work of our Immanuel, our consciences are at perfect peace with God; perfectly reconciled to Him. We are made perfectly acceptable in the Beloved. Thus we are perfect: for our title to glory is perfect and complete. The Spirit Who thus perfected us by faith, bears witness of it in the word, and to our consciences. O glorious state! O blessed perfection! 

Thus our Lord’s prayer is answered upon us, “I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23.) Hence St. Paul exhorts, “Be thus minded.” We must reserve this for the next meditation. Ever remember, “The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God,” Hebrews 7:19. 

 

Perfect in Christ, we stand complete 

Before God’s holy throne, 

Justice acquits, grace maketh us meet: 

Glory to God alone.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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