I am okay, more or less.” Swinging the palm of his hand up and down in the air, and in a sad, almost inaudible way, a friend greeted back. How many times you heard such an answer after your warm “How are you?” Could there exist a more vague and ambiguous state of soul? Personally, I have a problem discerning the real condition of such people. Possibly even they themselves do not realize their own situation. Of what have they “more” and what are they lacking? Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? It seems to reflect a spiritual condition as well. So, I could simply classify it as a “Laodicean greeting,” because it involves two opposing principles: Good and evil. In other words, there is not much good in it, because it is spoiled by evil. There is not much warmth, because there is coldness in it as well. This mixture is not acceptable before God. Indeed, the middle or neutral position is the most dangerous and unbearable one. The One who reads the hearts of all warns, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15, 16). Yes, there cannot proceed from the same fountain both sweet and salty water at the same time. Such is an abomination before God, and He is ready to “spue” out of His mouth any follower or defender of such wrong principles.
What is the root of this problem? Doubt or unbelief, the result of a divided heart. The predominant sin of today is really no different from Elijah’s time. His question to the Israelites in the past could well be applied today. “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). As we try to serve two masters, we may get the impression or illusion that it is possible to follow God and Baal at the same time. To serve God because we cannot afford to lose heaven, and at the same time keep ties with the unfruitful spirit of darkness, because we cannot miss the opportunity to “enjoy ourselves for a season.” Have you ever tried to ride two narrow boats at the same time, standing with one leg in each of them?— Impossible! “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). No, we cannot be good in God’s sight, unless we surrender ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ. Nevertheless, men have chosen instead to follow their own inclinations, deluding themselves. Professing to be believers, they find themselves in the world as common sinners. “Sitting on the fence,” or being “neutral,” they distort the image of the Creator instead of revealing Him before the world. Being more “less” than more “more,” we deny Him rather than confess Him. “It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. This half-and-half work is a constant denying of Christ, rather than a confessing of Christ. So many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of deception through and through in their professed Christian life. Living as sinners, claiming to be Christians!” 1
“Through the long centuries that have passed since Elijah’s time, the record of his lifework has brought inspiration and courage to those who have been called to stand for the right in the midst of apostasy. And for us, ‘upon whom the ends of the world are come’ (1 Corinthians 10:11), it has special significance. History is being repeated. The world today has its Ahabs and its Jezebels. The present age is one of idolatry, as verily as was that in which Elijah lived. No outward shrine may be visible; there may be no image for the eye to rest upon; yet thousands are following after the gods of this world–after riches, fame, pleasure, and the pleasing fables that permit man to follow the inclinations of the unregenerate heart.” 2
A divided heart is the result of a misconception of God’s character. Because He is too often viewed still as an “unknown God” unto us, we do not sufficiently believe that “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). So, when the devil comes to us as an angel of light, offering us the greatness of this world, we seem awfully slow at refusing it. Unbelief makes us ponder forbidden ground, and we become an easy prey in the enemy’s hands. The sad experience of Ananias and Sapphira shows the consequences of such a move—death. By holding back some portion of the goods they promised to lay down before the altar, they were instead dedicating everything to Satan’s cause. As we were baptized, we also promised to “surrender all” to Christ. How many of us have consistently fulfilled this vow?
Since a neutral position is not recognized by God, we are left with only two options. These are exemplified by the prophet Jeremiah’s vision. “One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad” (Jeremiah 24:2). You and I are represented by these two kinds of figs. Notice that they were put “before the temple of the Lord” (verse 1), meaning the church or people of God.
Everything that came from the hands of our Maker was originally considered “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Can a mortal mind bear the meaning of these words? Can we realize how good our first parents really were? They were created according to God’s image, being declared “very good” by the Father of lights. It is this perfection—a perfection that was destroyed by sin—that He wishes to see engraved in us again. This is the very work of redemption! Any failure to accomplish this state— to be good or perfect; to be 100% on the Lord’s side—is to be found wanting or classified as “very evil.” In His last supervision [investigative judgment], God will see who is considered worthy to have the seal of His approval.
“Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.
“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence.” 3
“There can be no half-way work in the service of God. The Lord is a jealous God; and He requires the sincere affection and unreserved confidence of those who profess to worship Him. He will not tolerate evil. Said the psalmist, ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.’ But He listens to prayers that are offered in contrition and humility of soul. Better have a very few true-hearted worshipers than to have a much larger number composed of persons not in harmony with one another and with the truth. ‘Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.’ ” 4
Since God cannot accept a partial surrender of the heart, we need to consider placing ourselves in a position where we can give Him our whole heart’s loving service. Do not be afraid to uproot any idol that may persist in staying there. This is the time when not even a small idol can be passed by as of little importance. Remember that it is “the little foxes, that spoil the vines” (Song of Solomon 2:15). It is true that by our own power we cannot break the chains that enslave us, especially if we have been indulging in some particular sin for a long time. However, it is never late for us to proclaim our independence from it. Through faith in Christ’s perfect sacrifice, we shall be free from all unrighteousness.
“By faith apply the blood of Christ to your heart, for that alone can make you whiter than snow. But you say, ‘This surrender of all my idols will break my heart.’ This giving up of all for God is represented by your falling upon the Rock and being broken. Then give up all for Him; for unless you are broken, you are worthless.” 5
Let us sincerely inquire, “Have I set up idols in my heart? Have I allowed anything to come between myself and God, that He should not be supreme in my affections? We need individually to make close investigation on this point. The love of money, pride in dress and display—anything that diverts the attention from God—becomes an idol.” 6
Abraham was required to leave the home of his parents. He could not continue living in Ur. His own father was vacillating between true and false worship, mingling true and false theories and idolatrous practices. Lot’s wife took her time in fleeing, risking the lives of all her family, because her heart was still back with the burning of idols she was leaving behind. She was so determined not to lose them, that she perished, being made a pillar of salt. Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, put her family’s life in danger by stealing the false gods of her father Laban.
As the visible leader of Israel, Moses had to fight against the idolatry prevailing among the nations around them. He was shocked as he witnessed dancing and drinking in the camp, paying homage to the golden calf which Aaron had made. In his abhorrence, the two tables of testimonies were broken and the people were made to drink from the waters of their own prostitution.
“There are many in the broad way who are not fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They long to break from the slavery of sin, and seek to make a stand against their sinful practices in their own strength. They hear the warning call to repentance. They hear that the only hope of the sinner is found in Christ. They look toward the narrow way and strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the world, unsanctified ambition and pride, place a barrier between them and the Saviour. They realize that all their idols must be expelled from the soul, that every sinful indulgence must be given up, all worldly encumbrances must be laid aside, in order to enter the strait gate. Jesus says, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ ” 7
According to Jeremiah’s vision, the two kinds of figs “were set before the temple of the Lord” (Jeremiah 24:1), symbolizing the scrutiny which every professed child of God must undergo. Likewise the Lord planted His vineyard, doing everything possible in order for it to bring forth good fruits. He expects that His followers today would be classified among the “very good” figs. The great pattern and instrument of measurement will be the moral law with its ten precepts.
“He who becomes a partaker of the divine nature will be in harmony with God’s great standard of righteousness, His holy law. This is the rule by which God measures the actions of men. This will be the test of character in the judgment. . . .
“ ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.’ John 1:12. This power is not in the human agent. It is the power of God. When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.” 8
According to the popular new theology, “perfection” is considered an impossibility. The supporters of this notion flatter themselves with the thought that it is impossible for any mortal to reach the high degree of perfection. Therefore, it is not difficult to come to the conclusion that men are not supposed to be concerned about the question of character building, neither to be spotless before the throne of God. But the Lord leaves no room for such misunderstanding. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), He states. Nothing lower than this can satisfy the Holy One. The condition for eternal life is still perfect obedience to all His requirements.
“The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been, just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents, perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized.” 9
Our eternal Father is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands” (Exodus 34:6, 7), and He could never require anything impossible for His children to attain. Knowing perfectly our shortcoming and wickedness, He has provided everything possible for us to reach the standard required. Through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Saviour, we can be more than victorious, and exclaim like Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
“By the sacrifice of Christ every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue. The perfection of Christ’s character makes it possible for us to gain perfection.” 10
“How can we reach the perfection specified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ—our Great Teacher? Can we meet His requirement and attain to so lofty a standard? We can, else Christ would not have enjoined us to do so. He is our righteousness. In His humanity He has gone before us and wrought out for us perfection of character. We are to have the faith in Him that works by love and purifies the soul. Perfection of character is based upon that which Christ is to us. If we have constant dependence on the merits of our Saviour, and walk in His footsteps, we shall be like Him, pure and undefiled.” 11
To be perfect is to be Christlike. It is to possess the mind of Jesus. Every motive, thought and action is to be motivated by tender, divine love. And this must be a daily experience. We need to daily keep our first love. We should never depart from fundamental doctrine, from scriptural morality. As we “walk with the Lord,” we have no chance to be “less,” but we shall be always “more and more.” When asked about the time of our greatest love for Christ, we should always be able to answer, “Right Now!” Yes, because of God’s infinite providence and grace, we are more than thankful. We may confidently declare: “It is well with my soul; I am very well, thank God!”