As I pondered what I should talk about this week the word perfect kept coming to mind. In the Dictionary the word perfect is described as “complete”, or “not deficient”. Also words such as “exact” or “precise” and “faultless” are used.
When you look around us in the world, what can you see as perfect?
God’s creation, of course. Unfortunately man has done damage to the perfectness of what Our Lord created. The plants, animals, fish and humans would all be perfect if man had not messed it up. As for man, Adam and Eve messed it up right from the beginning. As for the rest of creation it is still perfect except where man has done damage or even caused extinction of certain animal or plant species.
Perfection is sometimes ascribed to man made things or even people. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perfection only belongs to Jesus Christ and God our creator.
I’ve even heard the word used in a derogatory way. When something goes wrong someone has said “O that’s just perfect” The emphasis on the words in certain ways gives it the negative meaning. Often people are looking for things to do to make them seem perfect. Not possible.
You remember the story of the individual who came to Jesus in Matthew chap 19. The question was ‘What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ Jesus went on to tell the individual to keep the commandments. The individual said he had.
Matthew19:21
If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; come, follow me.
Perfection in God’s eyes is not really attainable by man in his sinful state. For those who have asked the Lord into their hearts and are trying to live the kind of life God would have us do, we can aim for perfection by trying to live as Jesus did. Aiming for perfection is an effort to live a God filled life. Our best is to make every effort, and work towards the goal.
James 3 talks about stumbling and more often than not our stumbling is with our mouth.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man able to also bridle the whole body.
Clearly we see that in order to work towards perfection it begins with our mouths. Man gets himself in trouble more often by the things said. So we can see clearly perfection is unattainable in this world but according to scripture that should be our goal. Our perfection is through Christ Jesus our Lord and will ultimately occur when we reach Heaven to live with Jesus for eternity.
Ephesians 5: 1-2
Therefore be followers of God as dear children
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Any perfectness we might have is only through the blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
