1 Corinthians 5:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Do you know what all is? I do not. I only know in part, and in that I am not perfect. While I strive to love, I do not perform that perfectly. While I strive for grace, I do not perform that perfectly. While I strive to be wise, I do not do that perfectly.

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

How does God balance all that He is in quality and character so that every aspect of who God is perfect and in balance? How does He balance being just and merciful perfectly at the same time? As much as I would like to be in balance in all that I am, no part of me is perfect in performance, much less in balance.

Consider that God’s understanding of who we are is perfect. Jesus encourages imperfection to be perfect. Is that possible? Would a gracious God ask of us that which is impossible? Consider that He is perfectly gracious and perfectly sovereign. How can He reconcile those two things?

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

As much as it lies within you is the first qualifier, meaning that it is possible or within your ability. Perfect is the highest state of achievement within the realm of one’s ability. Being a new creature in Christ means growth does not happen all at once, but in stages. You learn to stand, then walk, then run.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

You get to be perfect in transformance only after you have first become good and then acceptable in that stage of growth. Then you change because you have grown and are capable of more which means your potential is greater and perfection is still within your grasp, but not instantly.

In the end, when Jesus Himself becomes subject to the Father, we who are in Him, will all be perfectly in balance of all the quality and character of God who will be ALL in ALL.

1 Chronicles 21:24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

There are two mindsets when it comes to sacrifice. Give ‘til it hurts. I cannot buy that which is free. While I see these two things are extremes of the same issue, I have to say, the attitudes are not as wrong as the issue itself.

Both extremes are bound up in the attitude that they own something. One values highly that which is his, the other devalues that which is his. They own nothing, it is illusionary. They hold close to themselves an attitude that God seeks sacrifice of substance because of examples laid out before them which point to Jesus and the work of the cross. The mistake is seeing that Ornan, David or the temple mount had value important to God. Not so, it was what happened upon temple mount that was important because it pointed towards Jesus and the sacrifice He made in obedience of faith.

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

The two most important words to understand here are “His will”. My will changes nothing here. If I sacrifice my will in favor of God’s will, it changes nothing. What my sacrifice of will does do is allow for all the blessings of God’s promises to bring joy to my life in my relationship with God. God resists the proud and holding my will as important is pride.

Well what about all “my stuff”?

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

We are merely stewards of His stuff.