Perfect
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9
There are six things here that we learn about the Word of God and about the fear of the Lord that comes from knowing His Word.
Perfect – complete, whole, entire, sound 1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact.
God’s Word is complete and sound. It is all that man needs to come to salvation. It gives God’s righteousness and God’s grace and mercy in the most complete way. By it we learn our failing and God’s provision for us.
When we understand our complete inability to rescue ourselves from our sinful nature, God’s Word will convert (turn us around) to God who will save us. We find the simplicity of salvation here: “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31, And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31
Sure – confirmed, established, sure
God’s Word is established. He has proven it over and over again. He confirms it to us in our own experience with Him. The surety of God’s Word gives us hope. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:18-19
While the world is certain they know how to gain wisdom, they will not find true wisdom as it is only found in God’s Word. If we will spend time in His Word and ask Him, he will truly give us wisdom. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “2 Timothy 3:15
Right – uprightness, righteous, upright straight, level
We understand that God is righteous and He is upright. What God says and what God does is always right. The reason this rejoices our heart is because we recognize that we do not have to wonder if God will do the right thing or treat us correctly. We may not know about other persons and how they will act, but we can always know how God will act. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
Pure – pure, clean, sincere (intention, the heart)
Purity is something we tend to strive for, but often is just not possible. In a world tainted by sin, purity is just hard to come by. When we come to God’s Word, we find a pure light that is enlightening. “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalms 12:6 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130
Clean – pure, clean (ceremonially, physically)
The fear of the Lord is what brings us to faith in Him which is the beginning of something very clean and pure as we put our trust in Jesus. “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
True – stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Truth is something that is very much missing today. It has become common to define as truth whatever a person wants to be true. This is why it is so important to understand the truth of God’s Word. It is proven to be truth. It is not subjective. In God’s Word we will find the truth about our sinful nature, as well as the truth about God’s providence to free us from that nature. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
God’s Word is all of these and more. It is all we need to guide us in this life. We can trust God’s Word completely. I highly recommend reading, studying and knowing God’s Word.
