But you reply, “I cannot be perfect!” Both of these statements are true. In all of God’s perfection he cannot stand imperfection in his presence. That is why the perfect Jesus died on the cross in our stead. Still, what are we going to do about the idea that God expects us to be perfect?
There are some people who actually believe they can attain perfection on their own merits, by their own efforts. On the contrary there are some people who believe that life is totally overwhelming and frustrating for them because they cannot be perfect.
This idea of perfection on our part is verified in 1 Corinthians 13:11 saying, “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect…. “ Furthermore, it says in Matthew 5:48, “be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
This is one of those situations in which the King James Version of the Bible is difficult to understand. Then, what does the word “perfect” mean? The actual Greek word translated perfect in the King James Bible means to be fully mature and developed progressively growing.
This is what we would expect of our children. Physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, it would be our desire that they be fully mature and ready to face whatever comes across their path in this world.
So, it is then with God. We cannot be sinlessly perfect. That’s why we need Jesus Christ to be our Personal Savior. By accepting him into our hearts, his perfection becomes our perfection before the Heavenly Father.
Turning to the idea of Christians maturing, God expects us to be on an upward climb. He expects us to adapt to spiritual situations by the Holy Spirit. He expects us to learn. The person who calls himself a Christian is in danger if not in a progressive mood toward becoming fully mature. That person is more subject to the temptations of this world and of Satan’s darts. That person also is in danger of having a stagnant spiritual life wherein they experience self-doubt in their relationship with God.
This is not kindly advise. This is the wisdom of the ages in which we should all achieve a better place than where we were the day before. Elsewhere in the Bible we are reminded that we are fighting against spiritual wickedness in high places. Unless we are growing in the Lord, we are backsliding in our relationship with God. The full responsibility for what happens is our own!
Christian Writer 