A change in environment can be accomplished by a sovereign act of God, as we are brought from the darkness of earth to the light of Glory.

The transformation of our personality also is accomplished by a sovereign act of God, as the garment of sin and rebellion is removed from us and the Life and Nature of Christ are given to us.

However, as we understand it, it is the third area of reconciliation, the knowledge of the Lord, which is the unique purpose of life on the earth. We are placed on the earth so we might understand man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Apparently, the knowledge of the Lord, in particular humble dependence on God and stern obedience to God, cannot be learned in the spirit realm to the extent they can in our sin-cursed world.

We know the Lord Jesus was perfect in character. Satan could find no flaw in Him.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30)

The Lord Jesus was the Passover Lamb. As such, there could be no blemish in him.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (Exodus 12:5)

Pilate testified to this fact:

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. (Luke 23:4)

Yet, the Scripture states that Christ was made perfect through sufferings.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)

In what aspects was the Lord Jesus made perfect through sufferings?

First of all, He became better able to help us when we are tempted.

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Second, He learned perfect obedience to the Father. Christ learned obedience by the things He suffered while serving God in human flesh on the earth.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8)

Let us consider this. The perfect Lamb of God, Christ, The Word of God from eternity, became better able to help those who are tempted, and He also learned obedience to the Father.

We know the Old Testament Prophets spoke first to Christ and then to the members of His Body. From the statements of the Prophets we believe Christ gained in the knowledge of God, including faith, trust, and hope in the faithfulness of God's Word, the conversion of His will to perfect rest in God's will, humility, total dependence on the Lord, and joyous obedience to the Father.

Christ, the Lord of Glory, was perfect in His Character. But, like all the sons of God, of whom He is the older Brother, He learned to trust God.

To be continued.