Regeneration is at the start of the journey when we become disciples of Christ. This daily devotional looks at what is at the end of the journey – perfection – and why we can’t be perfected until we arrive at Heaven.
As disciples, our goal is to gain perfection. But what is that, and when do we obtain it?
What Is Perfection?
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas. 1: 4 ESV)
Perfection means we reach a state of maturity because the combination of the spiritual graces form, when all are present, spiritual wholeness or completeness — holy, sanctified, and righteous.
- Spiritual graces are worldly morals that have been submitted to God to further His kingdom instead of enhancing this world.
- Holy means to be set apart — because of our devotion to God — to become perfect, and morally pure while possessing all virtues.
- Pure means not being sinful or having the stain of sin.
- Sanctified means to be set free from sin.
- Righteous means we are free from sin because we are following God’s moral laws.
- Virtues are standards of moral excellence.
The focal points of the definition are that perfection is complete and holy.
Perfection is complete because it means we are totally like God. Every one of the spiritual graces is present at the appropriate level.
Perfection is holy, sanctified, and righteous because it focuses on imitating God.
Perfection in Heaven
“You therefore must be perfect, as you Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5: 48 ESV)
God calls us to be perfect like Him in Heaven.
Macdonald gave us a good list of Who God is and ways in which we can and cannot imitate Him.
Why We Can’t be Like God
- We have a beginning and end, where God doesn’t.
- Our beginning did not include being immortal, where God always has been.
- Our presence is limited to a defined space on this earth. God is all-present.
- God has the power to create and destroy, which we do not have.
- We are not holy as God is.
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God wants us to use His knowledge and submit our will to His. That means we accept His principles that lead to knowledge, discernment, and good sense. We put that into practice through salvation, increasing our goodness and virtue.
We won’t be spiritually whole until we are residents in Heaven.
Still, when we imitate Jesus, we should do more than try to imitate His goodness, mercy, and love for others.
We are called to imitate Jesus’ knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God.
Perfection on Earth
“Not that I have already obtained this or am perfect already, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you” (Phil. 3: 12-15 ESV)
God calls us to maturity here on earth.
While we are here on earth, we aren’t called to be perfect as God is. Each and every one of us would fail miserably.
There is no way we can be perfect like God here on earth. If we could have been, Jesus would not have had to die for us.
We can’t, so He did.
Gouge wrote, “The righteousness which is here meant [when describing the breastplate of righteousness]. A powerful work of God’s Spirit in the regenerate, whereby they endeavour to approve themselves unto God and man, by performing what God’s law requires.”
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Let’s look at the end of that: “… whereby they endeavour to approve themselves unto God and man, by performing what God’s law requires.”
Endeavor to prove: We are working hard to establish the truth to God and man.
Performing the laws: We are to follow God’s laws and commandments.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (Jn. 14: 6 ESV). When we establish truth, we accept the Plan of Salvation and ask Jesus to come into our hearts.
When we follow God’s laws and commandments, we learn of God’s character. We also imitate God’s character when we imitate Jesus.
We know we are not going to be perfect in this life because we are still in our sinful bodies. That means we are going to have to have a lot of repentance.
So, Paul wasn’t talking about being perfect/sinless here.
Let’s walk through this. God wants us to change our character to be more like His. He wants us to have His morals.
But God knows that we aren’t going to be 100% fruit-of-the-Spirit perfect. If that was the requirement, no one would make it to Heaven.
How in the world do we show perfection?
- We are sincere in seeking Him.
- We conform our hearts to His commands.
- We are consistent in seeking Him.
- We are 100% consistent in asking His forgiveness when we do disobey Him.
How do we do that?
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk. 12: 30 ESV).
Macdonald had an interesting concept. What if being perfect was being relative?
- Do we realize we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Ps. 119: 34; Gen. 1: 26).
- Do we totally focus ourselves and our service on Him?
- Do we see Him in His Word and in our lives?
- Have we ABCDed?
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The problem lies in when we profess God as our Father and Master but do not live to prove that. Our hearts and lives, in fact, negate that assertion.
Being called to perfection means we have a higher standard. Instead of being perfect in keeping the laws and commands, we are called to be holy as God is holy.
Father God. We long to be like You. We want to be holy, sanctified, and righteous so that we are spiritually complete. Grow us to accomplish that. Amen.
What do you think?
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