“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
It is quite common to hear Christians talk about their imperfection. There is, of course, good reason for this. Paul explained in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” John wrote in 1 John 1:8 that “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Indeed, to forget that we are sinners in need of God’s grace will pull us back into a self-centered existence that leads only to eternal destruction!
“For he who lacks these things [cf. vs. 5-8] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)
But…
Does the fact that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) mean that we are incapable of Christ’s perfection?
Consider with me for a moment what the word of God (which Paul describes as “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16) and the Hebrew writer describes as “living,” “powerful,” and “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)) is capable of…
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
God has given us His word so that we can be “complete,” or “perfect!” (KJV)
God has never asked the impossible of us. Can we, on our own, be without flaw? No. Else, Christ would not have had to enter this world as a man to die on our behalf! Can we, in Christ, be without flaw? Now that is a good question!
I can remember my grandfather (who I am blessed to still have with me on this earth) saying on many occasions, “people say ‘I can’t be perfect.’ But, have you ever tried?”
That, indeed, is the question! Have you ever actually tried to be perfect? Have you ever actually made it your number one goal and priority to walk as Jesus walked? Think like Jesus thinks? Love like Jesus loves? Hate sin like Jesus hates sin?
I am not saying that you are never going to make a mistake again, and, it would be the utmost in arrogance to pretend that I, as I write this, am a perfect reflection of my Lord and Savior. But, I am sick of compromising. I am tired of making excuses. I am done with the idea of Christianity being some kind of mask that we wear to make others think we love God. And you should be too!
It is time to start making our best effort; to put our best foot forward; to be the best Christians we can be. Not for our own glory. Not so that we might have something to boast about. But, so that we might glorify our God and be the light and salt that this world so desperately needs!
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” (1 Corinthians 14:20)
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)
The key is a knowledge of God’s word. Do you have it? Do you study? Do you read? God revealed long ago through the prophet Hosea that His people are destroyed because of “a lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) If we want to be “transformed” (Romans 12:1-2) into the perfect image of Christ, we have to spend time in the word of God. It is as simple as that.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror [cf. James 1:22-25] the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
I will never be Jesus Christ. Neither will you. But, we can be like Him. And, if we want to make heaven our home someday, we had better be trying!
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.” (Matthew 10:24-25)