Do you know what you mean when you use the word? Is it a vague, ‘universal’- everyone knows the definition – approach? Because I can guarantee you that the varieties of uses and expressions are innumerable. We have a vast array of ‘everyone knows’ words that are far from having the same definition and application. If you aren’t careful you may find yourself far from where you intended or even wanted simply because you acted on a ‘universal’ definition. Perfect, Perfection falls into that category.
Read how Paul views this:
“Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.” [Philippians 3: 12-15]
Did you know/realize that there are those who will not attempt a (challenge, opportunity, growth, etc.) because they know they can’t do it perfectly!? Does that make sense? Do you think that God is waiting for us to get to this undefined, unknown level of perfection before we act? Does that make any sense? Just as a newborn baby doesn’t act, speak as an adult the day of birth – so are we. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we do not have everything together and understood. We too are in a process.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19
Now… questions. Do we see a way in our wilderness or deserts? If we feel we’ve gain the ‘perfect’ status – how would we view this? Or if our eyes are only on becoming our definition of perfect, will we understand the ‘new thing’ the Lord’s doing? To drum my drum – becoming is the point. Perfection is not possible, especially apart from the Lord.
Matthew 5:48 RSV
“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
But in the Amplified it says:
“You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Message says it a bit more blunt:
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
I would argue that the ‘must be’ in the RSV (and most versions) is misunderstood as a ‘you better be’ or ‘this is now who you are and this better be how you act’ – both wrong. Perfection can be a goal but it definitely is a process. Fortunately we have the Amplified and Message that gives us greater understanding about how our Triune God looks at perfect and perfection.
If, after every failure to actually be perfect, you feel you’ve once again failed the Lord. Begin to look at those times as object lessons, learning about what does and isn’t who you are and what ‘perfect’ is. Which leads to… how do you think the Lord defines – perfect, perfection?
