Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Perfection (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the series of letters on “The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ”, entitled “Perfection, please understand that when every member of the body of Christ is perfected (adjusted to God’s righteous standards), it (the Body) shall exemplify Christ’s true nature. Remember what Jesus said, “Be ye perfect, EVEN AS your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). In other words, Jesus is telling us to be complete and entire, to strive to not lack in any thing, and to show ourselves capable of meeting every one of His requirements. Beloved, James sheds even more light on this subject when he writes, “let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4).

Chosen Ones, in order for us to accomplish this task, we must have some foundational understanding. We must build ourselves on the principles and foundation of this truth; it is impossible to fit in the world and be adjusted to the ways of God at the same time! (When you have time, read these passages; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; I Thessalonians 3:10; Hebrews 13:21). Beloved, I know that we live in an era where people don’t want to be shown the right way and wrong way to please God. However, this doesn’t discourage me. I’m convicted to shed light on the path of righteousness for God’s sheep, through His Word. The wisdom of Proverbs teaches us that “the path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto a perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). Therefore, my goal is to instruct, through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, those who are tying to be just and righteous how to attain perfection.

Precious Ones, the “perfect day” of which Solomon spoke is the day when Jesus when “the king (shall) say unto them on his right hand (the righteous), come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”. Beloved, trust me – that will be a perfect day, but that day will only benefit those who have prepared themselves to enjoy it. That is where the ministry which God has given me comes into effect. My assignment is to prepare you through the truth of God’s Word, teaching you what Jesus requires from all of us as His standard of perfection.

Children of God, I will bring more thoughts on this subject next week, but I leave you with this thought. Remember, we learned that “our Father in heaven is perfect”. Therefore, heaven is a perfect place. Only perfected people will inherit it!!!


I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Perfection (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Perfection,” from the “Principles of the Doctrines of Christ” series – the scripture admonishes us to “take… the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure” (James 5:10-11). Remember, Beloved, that we are Jesus’ disciples, and “the disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master” (Luke 6:40). The true interpretation here is that everyone who is thoroughly adjusted to Jesus’ standards of living, according to His Word, shall “be as his master [Jesus].” In other words, the life that Jesus lived, we shall also live, and the works he did, we shall also do! Remember, He said that if we place our faith in Him, our works will be perfect. Think about it, Beloved – if Jesus was perfect (which He was), and he is recorded to say, “he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do” (John 14:12), then we know that, in Jesus, we can attain perfection!

Precious Ones, I want to pour into your spirit the Word of God. The Bible teaches us that God has set, in the Body of Christ, differences of ministry! Paul said that God has done this “for the perfecting [complete adjustment] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man [our purpose], unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ [just like Christ]” (Ephesians 4:12-13). The Lord wants each one of us to be the complete man. This is revealed as we read on, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro [by] every wind of doctrine, by the sleight [error] of men, and cunning craftiness [purposeful deceit], whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [But our God wants us to] … grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body [is] fitly joined together and compacted [improved] by that [labor] which every joint [worker] supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part…” (Ephesians 4:14-16).
Chosen Ones, this means that it is God’s will for a church to have members, each with his own area of expertise, comprising a holy Body, effective for change and perfection.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Perfection (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Perfection”, from the “Principles of the Doctrines of Christ” series, I would like to point out that even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was made perfect and adjusted to this life through suffering. Beloved, if we live for God, we must strive for perfection, and we must also become adjusted to a life of gaining perfection. The scripture teaches us that “the captain of (our) salvation (was made) perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10). We are also taught that “though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect (completed), he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:8-9). This teaches us not to be too hard on ourselves when we have not yet reached our goals. The closer we get to perfection, the more sufferings (challenges) we will have to face. Yet, we must never shirk the challenge, but live up to it! If we obey Jesus’ directives for our lives, we will be made perfect as He was.

Precious Ones, this principle is only understood by faith! One must believe every word God says in order to achieve what He considers to be perfection. For example, we must believe the scripture that says, “…by one offering he (Jesus) hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Beloved, if you don’t have the faith that Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary purchased perfection for every obedient believer, then you will not understand Jesus’ requirements for perfection, and you will not be considered “sanctified”, saved or set apart for God’s use!

Chosen Ones, we are “perfect” and sanctified if we obey the commandments of God. It is recorded in the Holy writ that our Jesus said, “I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth” (John 17:19). This is powerful, Beloved. Had Jesus not obeyed, we could never even consider the thought of being made perfect. Yet, because Jesus sanctified Himself by offering His body in the place of our worthless selves, we are forever sanctified through the truth of His Word and through obedience to that Word – not by faith alone!

Children of God, we can now understand the scripture that says, “…God hath from the beginning (if you believe it) chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (II Thessalonians 2:13).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Perfection (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel inspired of the Lord to write unto you from a new topic under “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ”. Having studied the fundamentals of the doctrine, we now come to the consummation of the series, entitled “Perfection”. Beloved, the sole reason why God inspired the scriptures, leaving them for us to read, is so that He could guide us in the ways of “perfection”. In these times, when Satan is continually spreading destruction, devastation, immorality and unrighteousness over the earth, the admonition of the apostle Paul to the Hebrews is of the utmost importance to the church of Christ. Paul said, “Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).

Precious Ones, since the days of Noah, the scripture has described our God as One who requires “perfection” from the men that He uses in His service. The Bible says that Noah “was a just man and perfect in his generations” (Genesis 6:9). Job was also included in the list of those considered “perfect” (Job 1:1). Abraham, believe it or not, was also among those who God challenged to be perfect (Genesis 17:1). Beloved, it should be noted that the word “perfect” does not mean that these men reached the highest standard possible for them to reach. Rather, they were plain, whole and complete in God – not taken up with earthly things. In other words, these men were considered perfect by God because they sought after His will instead of their own. That’s why it is said of Abraham that he “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Galatians 3:6). Righteousness is God’s standard concerning what is right! Therefore, Beloved, these men were considered righteous because of their faith – not their works! Paul said of faith, “Therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written (see Habakkuk 2:4), the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:14).

Chosen Ones, we therefore learn that in order to attain to perfect status with God, we must believe that He is able to make us perfect in His eyes by faith. Peter puts it this way, “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after…ye have suffered a while, (is able to) make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (I Peter 5:10). In the scriptures, the word “perfect” is sometimes used to mean “accuracy” (see Luke 1:3, Acts 18:26; 22:3; 24:22, I Thessalonians 5:2), but mostly it is used to teach the will of God.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy