God wants us to be perfect. He knows that won’t happen through our own efforts, though, so He made a way for us to be perfect. Our own efforts won’t bring perfection. The world’s path won’t either. Only God’s way provides a way for perfection to become a reality.
Reaching Perfection
Consider the following people’s lives. If you read the scripture reference, you’ll actually see these individuals described as “perfect” “mature,” having “wisdom,” “blameless” “righteous” and even “without blemish.” All of these get at the idea of perfection in the eyes of God.
- Noah – Genesis 6:9
- Job – Job 1:8
- Abraham – Genesis 17:1
- King Hezekiah – 2 Kings 20:3
- The Philippians – Philippians 3:15
- The Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 2:6
- The Church – Ephesians 5:25-27
If these individuals and groups of people — with their human frailties and significant mistakes — are seen as perfect (i.e., without fault) to God, why can’t we be considered perfect too?
“People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it.” (Edith Shaeffer)
Perfection feels impossible. It’s much easier to coast through life with a “good enough” mentality. As Christians who are pursuing perfection, though, we need to remember that God tells us to strive for perfection and that he has provided a way for us to be perfect.
We are perfect through:
- God — His grace perfects, confirms, strengthens and establishes us (1 Peter 5:10).
- Christ — He has already achieved perfection for us (Hebrews 10:14).
- The Holy Spirit — He leads us through the process of progress toward perfection (Galatians 3:3).
As if that weren’t enough, through God’s Word and even with our imperfect hands, we are also equipped (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13), suffering (Hebrews 2:10), and love (1 John 4:18).
The Pressure is Off
“Grace is God acting in our lives to do what we cannot do on our own.” (Dallas Willard)
God perfected us through Christ, and nothing we do can reach the goal of perfection. That doesn’t mean we just give up and coast through life, though. Perfection comes through Christ; it’s instantaneous at salvation. At the same time, it’s a progressive work in our lives that happens when we submit to God’s will.
Mark Allman
I think the issue for us is that when faced with sin in our lives or imperfection the answer is not to "do better" but the path in dealing with that should be "to pursue Christ'. If we are doing that then we shall deal with those things effectively.
Kari Scare
Well said. Instead of “do your best,” we need to say, “pursue Christ.”
tnealtarver
Kari, I appreciate seeing "You're Already Perfect!" and the list of names, both individuals and groups, who were deemed "perfect." Knowing some of the blemishes, for example, Noah getting drunk, I am encouraged by Scripture to recognize perfection through God's grace in Christ is my reality. I either embrace it or I don't, but either way, God makes it true. And if God makes it true, it is true indeed.
Kari Scare
The stories of these individuals helps me out a lot too. Gives me hope, especially when I mess up. His truth gives me hope, and sometimes that is all I have keeping me wanting to live life.
Coach_Mike
I have been commenting on the book of Galatians and the discussion of perfection certainly comes up in Paul's rebuttal to the Pharisaic Christians, who defined perfection through the compliance in the law. However, even today we have a distorted view of perfection and it is defined by men not God. I love your imagery reflecting the journey of Salvation… It is a life-long journey and ends not at death but at eternity's doorway before God who smiles and seals us as perfect in His eyes.
Good commentary….
Kari Scare
A lifelong journey for sure. Definitely a work of the Holy Spirit. Thankful for Jesus making it possible.
Barb
Thankfully, I don't feel like I have to be perfect for God – it's the world or myself I try to be perfect for. What I need to learn at the gut level is that you can't control life by being perfect. I think you might have talked about that in your last post. Good thoughts, Kari!
Kari Scare
Being completely acceptable to God sure does take the pressure off. Caring less about man’s approval & more about God’s is the journey of perfection. So thankful that Jesus made it all possible.
Pursuing Perfection, Part I | Struggle to Victory
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bettydraper1947
I want to do more for someone who says, don't worry I have taken care of that for you. Someone who has lifted a load from me has my loyalty, someone who loves me unconditionally when I fail, I want to love back. Knowing I do not have attain some kind of too high standard makes me want to live a Godly life. The more I grow in my knowledge of Him the more I mature. Maturity never ends here, but complete Christlikeness awaits us on the other side for eternity . Good post Kari
Kari Scare
Well said, Betty!
danonleadership
Hello Kari,
Jesus died on the cross to allow us to be free of sin and be "perfect." Though we still live in a sinful world where we fall, God's grace and mercy is ever present in the life of a person who strives toward Him. Great thoughts!
Kari Scare
So thankful for unending grace & mercy!
Loren Pinilis
The more I've examined this truth, I think it's something that we really only grasp spiritually – and it's so difficult to understand even then. An intellectual understanding just doesn't impact me because it seems so "Sunday School-ish" and it just doesn't sink in. Truly being hit by this seems to just be a work of the Spirit, and I can't really understand why it's more powerful at some times than at others.
Kari Scare
I can’t explain it either, but I understand what you mean. Grace for the moment, perhaps. I remember life before the Holy Spirit had free reign in me, and life is WAY better with Him even on the “less” days.
Make Becoming Christ-Like Your Goal -
[…] Pursuing Perfection, Part II […]