Perfection Should Be Our Goal
"Therefore, you shall be
perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect".Matthew 5:48
This is probably one of the most mis-understood, and also one of the most ignored
passages in the Bible. Human reasoning alone tells us that if we sin, and we
all do, we cannot be perfect, because perfect is the ultimate level of righteousness,
beauty, strength, character, and comparison. While the goal is perfection, many
see perfection as being impossible to accomplish, so they do not even try. This
is sad, because even though we know that we cannot achieve perfection, we are
still supposed to try to be perfect. We are to be like Christ, aren't we?
The bible tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and that includes you
and me. Thus we cannot be perfect in that sense of the word. Jesus was perfect;
Hebrews 4:15 teaches us that He, being our High Priest was tempted in all points
as we are, yet without sin. Thus the perfection of Jesus made for a proper ultimate
sacrifice.
But the scripture uses the word differently than we are accustomed to. The usage
in the Bible indicates a condition of completeness or maturity. As we read a
few passages, we will notice this. Let us notice a few:
The will of God is perfect. Psalm 19:7 also reads that "the law of the
Lord is perfect". Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 that the will of God is perfect.
In other words, those who practice doing what God has instructed will be spiritually
complete or mature. So the law of the Lord and the will of God are perfect.
Of course, anything associated with Deity is perfect. Paul wrote of the written
word of God when he made the statement in 1 Corinthians 13:10 "when that
which is perfect is come, the gifts would be done away with. This also means
that God's word does not need improvement. It does not need anything added to
it, neither would removing from it result in good. James also described this
law of God as perfect. James "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer
of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Notice that being a doer
of the law brings forth blessings. And remember that this law of liberty is
not the Mosaic law given through Moses.
Our goal is to help everyone become acceptable to God. This was indicated by
the idea in Colossians 1:28 "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching
every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
This is the ultimate goal and duty of every Christian to help each other achieve
this status. Notice the early church had this charge also: Ephesians 4:13 "till
we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".
Notice also: Colossians 4:12 "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". This early Christian
made it his life's goal to help people become spiritually complete and mature
and perfect in Christ. This is an example we should be trying to follow. Paul
also told the Thessalonians: 1Thessalonians 3:10 "night and day praying
exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?"
James also teaches about this perfection: James 1:4 "But let patience have
its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing".
James wrote: James 2:22 "Do you see that faith was working together with
his works, and by works faith was made perfect?" The kind of faith we need
is demonstratable, and it is accomplished by doing God's will.
After discussing the inspiration of Scripture, Paul describes one's condition
of responding to it in a positive way. 2Timothy 3:17 "That the man of God
may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works". In other words,
this person has all the tools available to them to know God's will. Peter also
express a similar thought in 1 Peter 2:13: "Keep your behavior excellent
among the gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers,
they may on account of your good deeds, as the observe them, glorify God in
the day of visitation."
Let us all resolve to do the very best we can to achieve the perfection of the
New Testament. May we all strive to become spiritually mature and complete in
Christ. If we do our part to try to be perfect, God will take care of the rest
with His grace.
By Carey Scott January 12,2011
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