The Quest for Perfection
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5: 48
The Scripture above is one most of us would read with some perplexity. As Christians we know we're sinners in need of a Savior. Every Sunday at church we thank God for His divine intervention through Christ's death on the cross.
Yet the very One sent to die for us seems to be asking us here to be that which we know we can't: perfect. Not just really, really good. But perfect in the way God is perfect.
Now if you're a perfectionist like me, you may already have your pen out to list all your weaknesses so you can strategize the best plan to eradicate them from your life.
This isn't a bad exercise, but I've often become easily frustrated and tired when I set out to perfect myself. That's precisely the problem with this approach - it's all about me, myself, and I. An old friend of mine, in his quest to eliminate his selfish attitude, would often exclaim with much exasperation: "I keep trying to get rid of my selfishness but in the process of trying to improve myself, I end up focusing on my self all the time!"
It's hard to stifle a smile at his candor. It seems God has something better in mind for us than a glorified self-help program.
Perhaps the verse above is easier to understand when cast in a different light. Peter doesn't use the word "perfect" but instead calls believers to "holiness":
" … but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct: since it is written ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1: 15 - 16)
Holiness transcends what someone does (or doesn't do) and ties directly into who God is. As believers, we aren't necessarily called to be "perfect" by the world's standards, but instead to reflect God's nature to others. His goodness, truth, strength, and love.
The only way we can accurately reflect God to others is to strive daily to know God. To be in His presence. To meditate on His Word. Unlike the futile self-help approach, the more we focus on God, the less self-focused we become. And the more available we make ourselves to His transforming grace in our lives.
"Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self." ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Intersecting Faith & Life: Do something this week that requires you to "forget" yourself and your struggles. Serving those in need is usually a good way to do this.
Further Reading
Questions and Answers
Many Christians do not feel victories in spiritual warfare. This article will explain why victory may be evasive. This article will also analyze each step to successful Christian warfare against Evil. Please be sure to Pray and Read All The Cited Bible Scriptures. God's Word Is Life Giving (John 5:24; John 1:1).
Facts have implications which put great emphasis on knowing what is and what is not factual. Does it make any difference whether it was Peter or Jesus who was the rock upon which the church was built? Does it make any difference who built the church? The implications are great.
If there is any ticket to making it at the rapture it is the fear of the Lord. As we shall be seeing much later we require it after we have been saved to work out our salvation; that is what we need have and grow in to be perfecting holiness (God's kind of life that takes to heaven); and it is actually the link between here (this side of eternity) and there (that eternity with the triune God), hence we are told to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear!
Nonconformity or not conforming to the world is expression of piety or fear of God. The opposite of not conforming to the world is conforming to Christ's Image or the heavenly life. Non-conformity which we see in Bible and which our fathers in the faith throughout history held on to is almost not with us today. Yet, God has in no time lower the standard or will He ever do because His ways are equal (Ezekiel 18 25, 29). The same yardstick for making heaven applies to all!
Faith is not perfection but only the shadow of perfection to come. In this present dispensation of imperfection and lack you are not meant to be perfect therefore you should relate to God through faith.
For Religious Reading, Prayer, And Living A Spiritual Life Before I enter into a long remark and analysis on the worth of living the spiritual life, and of keeping a copy of this pocket size book The Rule of St. Benedict, I want to write a short introduction on what is the basis of my theme for the use of the book: prayer. Then to discuss the work as I see it as a contribution to ones own life of living in the world and in the light of God’s presence. --Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSB (2000)
Do you want to live a fulfilling life? The peace of God is a catalyst for a fulfilled life. The more of God's peace you experience, the more your life is fulfilling. This article gives the steps to increase the peace of the Lord.
For centuries the Jewish people had heard from the scriptures, prophets, priests and rabbis that God would fulfill His promise and establish a New Covenant with His people through the Messiah. On this day in Acts 2 God fulfilled His promise and poured out His Spirit on His people.
"Women inside Christianity" is often a vast along with sophisticated theme by using multiple volume because Christianity is probably the biggest religions on the earth applied within various societies plus countries worldwide.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever will believe will have everlasting life and not perish. God is there for nonbelievers also. He wants all of His children back. Seek and you shall find, ask and you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened
Historic Black College choirs across the country traditionally visit local community churches. For many churches it's reminiscent of a homecoming. Alum, prospective students and the community at large celebrate the choir, enjoy and appreciate the sacred music, pay tribute to loved ones that have helped financially support and embraced the school's mission which instills pride in the hope and dream of surviving and making it in a harsh world. Their presence is a testament of God's goodness.
What can God's Word, our most trusted source, teach us about angels and the spiritual realm? We take a closer look at two angels specifically named in Scripture: Michael and Gabriel.
Have you ever been lied to? Betrayal is a pretty awful experience - it shakes our confidence and damages our ability to trust. But, while most of us are quick to feel disgust at the harm done by a blatant lie, if you're anything like me, you fall prey to subtle lies on a regular basis.
The first factor in becoming a survivor is acknowledging a very biblical truth: At some point life's going to go wrong. As much as we don't want to admit it, the brokenness of this world will seep into our tranquil lives.
Sometimes I feel Jesus, the Good Teacher, says to us. "Just trust me. I am here to help you. I am going to give you all the answers you need!" Yet even with countless pages of holy scripture to turn to and help from the Holy Spirit, we struggle to be God's students.
With our recent economic woes, insecurity is high. Searching for just the right job can be almost as painful as searching for the right spouse… rejection takes its toll, our personal weaknesses internally gnaw away at us, and temptations to play the comparison game skyrocket. When you are dealing with feelings of inadequacy you need to remember what God sees in you and what can be accomplished through you.
Discuss this Article
