DECEMBER 31, Hebrews 13:20-21
 

The word “perfect” is perhaps overused. Cake shops may advertise
that their cakes are “perfect”. After a musician played a piece of music,
some may encourage him and say his performance was “perfect”. Or a
watch company may try to sell their latest model and claim it is “perfect”
in symmetry and beauty.

In today’s text, the word perfect is used. Dear child, read the 2 verses
again and see that we are not perfect in ourselves but that the “God of
peace” makes us perfect. This does not mean we will never make mistakes,
for that is impossible since all of us, even the most mature Christian, can
sin. What the word “perfect” means here is that we may be mature, that we
may be equipped to do the will of God.

The focus is not us but God. God will enable us to do His will, and
if we are mature and willing, we will do things that will please Him. It is a
great honour to please God, and on our own we would not be able to do so.
That is why all of us need God’s help.

Sometimes as we look at ourselves, we see how selfish, impatient,
biased, and foolish we still are. And sometimes we are discouraged as we
continue to sin. Even with the daily reading of the Bible and prayer, we
still sin. Let us remember that God does not promise that the Christian
life would be easy. In fact, He has taught us that the Christian life would
be tough. That is why He gives all Christians the “spiritual armour” in the
wonderful passage in Ephesians 6. When do soldiers wear armour? When
they go to war. And why would they need to wear armour? Because in any
fight against enemies, they need to protect themselves and they must put
on the whole armour.

As this year comes to an end, remember that God wants you to live
a victorious Christian life, that God wants you to live a life that will please
Him. And none of us would be able to do that, unless we totally rely on
Him. God is always there waiting for us. And God is powerful, for verse
20 reminds us that He raised Jesus from the dead. If God the Father can
raise Jesus from the dead, surely He can help you to mature and live a life
that will please Him!

Thought: May I be mature, even at a young age!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for myself – that I will be led by You to be
a better child and to live my life so that I will please You. In Jesus’ name I
pray, Amen.