DAILY DEVOTION, March 26, 2021

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).

Paul calls attention to Epaphras, a bondservant (slave) of Jesus Christ. He is constantly working and praying for the Colossians that they may stand perfect in the will of God. We know there is no perfect church and no perfect Christian. Human sin and imperfections preclude that from happening. It makes me wonder, what would a perfect church look like?

In a perfect church, Christ would be honored as the head. His will would be the primary concern of each member. Submission to the Holy Spirit would be the chief goal of every member. The Bible would stand as the final authority for each individual and for the church.

Every member would be born again. Each one would be striving to live faithfully. When sin did crop up, there would be immediate confession and repentance. Each member would feel loved and cared for by the entire church. When personalities clash, those involved are quick to forgive. Being in harmony with one another is more important than being right.

There would be a burden for those who know not the Savior with a zealous missionary outreach both at home and abroad.

Other thoughts run through my mind as I imagine the perfect church, but let this suffice. No, we will never achieve total perfection in this life. There is no perfect church, but what kind of church should we strive to be? Shall we be content with mediocrity, or shall we strive to be the best we can be? While we will never achieve complete perfection, should not that be our goal?

Father, I want to be a church member who strives for perfection. I want to use whatever gifts and talents I have to further Your Kingdom. Yes, I will fall short of perfection, but I do not want to be content with mediocrity. I know that as I walk by faith, You will walk with me and use me to help in the building of Your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.