Perfection
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Matthew 5:8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.’
Matthew 15:18 ‘The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a person unclean.’
Matthew 5:48 ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect.’
This is what we must aim for, even though we know that realistically we cannot be ‘perfect’ in this life, it must be our target. We should not accept our failures and sins as being normal and acceptable.
Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do everything through Him (GOD) who gives me strength.’
Philippians 2:5 ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.’
James 1:16-18 ‘Don’t be deceived my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the FATHER of the heavenly lights, WHO does not change like shifting shadows. HE chose us to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all HE created.
James 3:2 ‘We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what they say, they are a perfect person, able to keep their whole body in check.’
Jude 24-25 ‘To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only GOD our Saviour be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen.’
We know that within our own power – strength - we cannot of ourselves be literally perfect. These scriptures are encouraging us to look to the perfection of GOD, and within the power given to us by the Holy Spirit, we lean towards, in all things - all aspects of life - the perfection of GOD. Christ’s followers must aim to have pure, spotless characters, and to live in harmony with GOD’s standards. We are to aim for GOD’s standard of perfection.
(The original word ‘perfect’ is translated from a Hebrew word ‘tam’ meaning devoted - consecrated - and faithful. It is not referring to a person who never makes a mistake. It is talking about someone who gives GOD and HIS Word first place in their life, and seeks GOD - believes what GOD says - and obeys HIM - because GOD’s ways are perfect.
This is another case of translators relying on the Greek Septuagint for their translation rather than the Hebrew text itself. Greek word used is ‘amemptos’ meaning ‘blameless.’)
Colossians 2:9-10 ‘In Christ lives the fullness (completeness) of GOD in human form, and you have been given fullness (made complete) in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.’
We can never be complete within ourselves, and of our own efforts we can never be perfect. Only through relationship with Jesus and making - choosing - Him to be ‘Lord of our lives’ can GOD see us as being acceptable.
It is often said that if you want something done well - or properly - do it yourself. However if you want it done perfectly, ask GOD to direct - lead - you in doing it.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 ‘May HE (GOD) strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our GOD and FATHER when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones (angels).’
1 Thessalonians 5:23 ‘May GOD Himself, the GOD of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
Jude 24-25 ‘To Him (Jesus Christ) who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy: to the only GOD our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen.’