Perfect Is As Perfect Does

There are many instances in the Bible that speak to the perfection of the saints. Let's look at just a few:

Mt 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Eph 4:11-12 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

II Tim 3:16-17 - 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Obviously, God does not intend for us to be perfect in the absolute sense of the word, Mt 5:48 says to be perfect even as God is perfect. To take that literally would cause frustration because none of us can be as perfect as God.

So what's the deal? Perfection, in the sense that we can attain it, pertains to completion or maturity. Those things we can obtain. First, we are complete in Christ, according to Colossians 2:10, and perfection can come through study of scripture and through the teaching, instruction and guidance offered to us by elders, leaders, and ministers within the body of Christ.

In I Corinthians 9:24-26, Paul talks about striving for the mastery. That's what being "perfect" in God is all about. Through study, prayer, relationship with Jesus, guidance from those leaders in our lives, and perseverance, we can continue on the pathway of perfection to obtain a completeness and maturity in God.

So keep it up, hang in there, be diligent in God and He'll lead you into Biblical perfection. Establish a daily prayer life, a regular time of study and meditation of God's word, and be faithful to those gatherings of believers (church, fellowship, Bible study, etc...) where you can both impact and be impacted by others.

Remember, perfect is as perfect does!!!