2 Corinthians 7:1 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.

I asked the Lord, “Why did you not perfect me at the first?” I knew He could, so why not? His answer was simple and direct.

“If I did there would be nothing keeping you here.”

My response, “Yes, that’s the point.” His answer made me feel ashamed.

“And what of the others?”

Then I knew exactly what He meant.

Hebrews 2:1-5 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

Angels cannot carry forward a mystery they do not share. It takes men and women in Christ to carry this message to the lost.

Ephesians 1:8-12 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Here is the great promise of God, to be made perfect. We shall be transformed into a state of being which cannot be corrupted any longer. Sin will not be present in our bodies nor in our presence. Sin will no longer hold sway over us.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This verse speaks to our present condition but when we are removed from this world and transitioned into the next, sin is removed, we walk with Him and cleansing will no longer be required.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

This is the promise we all look forward to receive. While it is our greatest promise, it is not our only promise and as such we should not ignore those promises in favor of this one last thing. The promises of God in us are not meant just for us. They are made to us to find the other captives and to set them free.