We all know that God is perfect, He makes no mistakes. He is always on-time and He hears and answers all our prayers perfectly, in a manner that is best for our character development in preparation to live in heaven.
There are many Bible verses that state this, such as, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Deuteronomy 32:4. The Lord never leaves His work unfinished or imperfect. He will carry through His plan of salvation to its perfect end.
Job describes Him as being “perfect in knowledge.” Job 37:16. Although sometimes we may not understand why He is permitting circumstances to occur as they are, in the end we will all acknowledge that He was all wise in His leading of our lives.
Through many trials, David learned that, “As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30. Yes, God’s way is always the best way. He is a wall of protection to those that trust in Him. Through all his trials prior to his coronation, he had learned to trust the Lord. He then added, that “God maketh my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32
The Lord also wants to make you perfect. When on this earth, Jesus mentioned this in the Sermon on the Mount. He clearly said that you are to be, “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. The fact that He used the word “be”, it implies right now. Not some future time.
From the beginning of time, the Lord has been encouraging His followers to be perfect. To Abram He said, “walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1. He not only told Abram to be perfect, but told him how it can be done—by walking with Him.
The Apostle Paul also encouraged the believers to be perfect. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
So, what is perfection? I am sure we have all heard many sermons, and read many articles about perfection and the need to be perfect. I ask you, what would you answer if someone asked you, “are you perfect?” What does it mean to be perfect? The first thing that comes to mind is often, “without any blemish.” It makes me think of a pure white bedsheet, and thus with no blemishes it looks perfect. The most common definition that people think of is: free from any flaw or defect in condition or quality; faultless. When we get a perfect score on a test the score would be 100%—with no mistakes. It is excellence or complete, beyond practical or theoretical improvement. You cannot score more than 100% on the test.
Another definition I read from the internet was, “the condition, state, or quality of being free or, as free as possible, from all flaws or defects.” “Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.” https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/perfection; https://www.lexico.com/definition/perfect
In these definitions we see the words, “as free as possible from all flaws or defects” and “as good as it is possible to be.” There is a bit of a provision here—“as possible.” How can we explain this, “as possible”? Let me take you back to the bedsheet. Perhaps, one day, it got a large tear in it. It is useless now, but rather than throwing it in the garbage, a person takes it and carefully sews the tear. Now the bedsheet is useful again—as useful as it was before the tear. Is it perfect? It is as perfect as possible. The tear that has been sewn still bears a “scar” on the sheet but it is still as useful as before.
In our spiritual life, we all bear scars from our past history when we walked without Christ. We may be as the bedsheet that had a tear in it, but hopefully Jesus has sewn it up. We can still be perfectly useful, even with the scars—as perfect as possible.
Some have described perfection as sinlessness and basically left it at that. You are perfect when you no longer sin. Yes, a sinless person is perfect. But is a perfect person sinless? Think about it for a few minutes. Do you believe that you are not perfect unless you have reached the state of sinlessness, untouchable by Satan’s temptations any longer? Is perfection and sinlessness the absolute goal that we must reach to be accepted in Christ? I do agree, that this is the standard to be reached in order to enter heaven, but can we not be accepted in Christ today, as we are with the tears that may be in the sheet? Yes, as long as we allow Jesus to begin sewing them up and thus we can we be useful again.
Ask yourself, have you ever gone to bed at night, reflected on your life for the day, and said, “wow, today I did no sin. No, not in thought, word, deed, or motive. I ate only good food. I helped my sick neighbour. I handed out some missionary tracts. I did not waste any time for things that do not pertain to heavenly righteousness. Every moment was used correctly. Every thought was of heaven and Jesus. I prayed without ceasing and had a constant connection with heaven all day.” If you have, I would like to hear from you and from your experiences.
Thus, if you cannot come to this conclusion at the end of the day, do you then admit that you are not sinless? Are you far from perfection? There are many sermons and Bible studies on the subject of perfection. I want to just add a little to the subject in this article. Picture yourself as that torn bedsheet that needs to be mended. Or perhaps in the process of being mended. Once you repent and your sins are forgiven, you can stand before God as a cleansed sinner.
In the Bible we read of some people who are said to have been perfect. One can ask, had they reached the state of sinlessness?
The first one mentioned was Noah. “Noah was a just man and perfect.” And why was he described as perfect? Because, he “walked with God.” Genesis 6:9. The only way that one can be considered perfect is by walking with God, not sporadically, but moment-by-moment. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Was Noah perfect every single day for the rest of his life? After the flood we find that, “he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” Genesis 9:21. Was he forsaken of God? No, although the bedsheet had a tear in it, God sewed it up again.
We also have the example of Job. All that is written about him was good. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1. The Lord described him as such to Satan in verse 8 and again in chapter 2:3. He must have been a remarkable man for God to describe him like this. But why did he have to go through all this suffering? Was he not perfect already? Was it just as an example for the unfallen worlds to witness? Was there a benefit for Job himself—although if we consider perfection as 100%, what more could Job gain from such an experience? He had already reached the final goal, had he not?
I think the Apostle Paul stated it well, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–4. Job was very kind and gracious to the poor and needy. He sympathized with them well. Yet, perhaps God felt that, in order for him to do better service, he needed to go through a similar experience as the poor and the sick so that he could empathize with them better.
Never complain about your trials, as though you did something wrong. True, some difficulties and trials are a direct result of our misdeeds, but some are not. One thing is true, though, all trials are for character development. Praise God for the trials as did Job—the perfect man. “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
If someone is considered perfect, do they always remain that way? We just read about Noah and how he faltered after the flood; after God had declared him perfect. Also, we read of Lucifer. “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:15. He was created perfect, and remained such until he sinned.
That is the key. Sin mars perfection.
Although King Solomon was encouraged to serve the Lord with a perfect heart and he likely did so in his youth, but later it is stated that, “when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” 1 Kings 11:4. His sheet got terribly torn, but thankfully he allowed the Lord to repair it
and he repented in his later years.
Now let us read a little bit about King Asa. He was a king of Judah, and his “heart was perfect with the LORD.” 1 Kings 15:14. He did his best, but was it perfect? The Lord stated that he was, even though it was written that “the high places were not removed.” –Ibid. He tried and made many reforms, but he met with resistance from some people in his kingdom at times. He made a valiant effort.
Yet, what can we read about the end of the life of King Asa? “Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.” 2 Chronicles 16:9–10. Although he was perfect in his early life, he did not remain so. His bedsheet was torn, but he did not want it repaired. He scorned the message of the prophet Hanani and threw him in prison. One foolish act led to another and Judah’s reformer became Judah’s tyrant and oppressor. Folly led to ingratitude, cruelty, and gross injustice.
Thus, if perfection is equated to sinlessness, when one is sinless, can they sin the next day? Being perfect and sinless today, does that mean that one has attained the ultimate goal? Reached the end of the road? Nothing more to learn or to improve upon? Beyond the reach of the tempter? They will never sin again? No, clearly not.
We may get 100% in one test but fail the next. We have more to learn. Having reached 100% on the first test does not mean we can walk out of school, believing we know it all and can begin to live the life of the career we have chosen. No, you have more difficult things to learn now also. If you fail, you repeat.
“God’s children are always being tested in the furnace of affliction. If they endure the first trial, it is not necessary for them to pass through a similar ordeal the second time; but if they fail, the trial is brought to them again and again, each time being still more trying and severe. Thus opportunity after opportunity is placed before them of gaining the victory and proving themselves true to God. But if they continue to manifest rebellion, God is compelled at last to remove His Spirit and light from them.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1146. If you pass one spiritual test, be ready for another. There will be more difficult tests to come as you progress on your journey of sanctification. If you fail, then you must repeat.
Here is another king. “Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.” 2 Chronicles 25:1–2. Now, how can you do that which is “right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart?” He worshipped the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. He made no effort to remove the high places. He apostatized later.
Then there was King Hezekiah on his death bed who prayed to the Lord stating, “I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” 2 Kings 20:3. He fully believed he was serving the Lord with a perfect heart. Was he? What happened when the Babylonians came to visit him after his recovery? The Lord revealed to him that he was not perfect. He was rather proud in showing off his wealth to these dignitaries. His sheet was torn and he did not notice it until Isaiah pointed it out to him.
Regarding King Hezekiah, let us read what is written in the book of Job regarding those who claim to be perfect. “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.” Job 9:20–21
Do you think you are perfect? Learn from the story of Hezekiah then. “He who bears with him a continual sense of the presence of Christ cannot indulge self-confidence or self-righteousness. None of the prophets or apostles made proud boasts of holiness. The nearer they came to perfection of character, the less worthy and righteous they viewed themselves. But those who have the least sense of the perfection of Jesus, those whose eyes are least directed to Him, are the ones who make the strongest claim to perfection.” –Faith and Works, p. 54
“From the time that I was 14 years old, if I knew what the will of God was, I was willing to do it. You never have heard me say I am sinless. Those that get sight of the loveliness and exalted character of Jesus Christ, who was holy and lifted up and His train fills the temple, will never say it. Yet we are to meet with those that will say such things more and more.” –Selected Messages, bk. 3, p. 354
When you are deemed perfect in the eyes of God (by God only), some of the following fruits will be manifested:
Peace: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 37:37
Good works: “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:17
Unity with our brethren and sisters in the faith: Jesus prayed that His followers would be, “made perfect in one.” John 17:23. And Paul mentions that the gifts of the Spirit were given to the church so that they can reach the “unity of the faith.” They would have a “knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. They will have nothing bad to say about their brethren, and will not have any negative feelings or difficulties with them.
Helping our brothers and sisters. “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12
We could preach sermons and write articles on the next two points.
Not offend by words: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2. James tells us that if we do not offend in words, we will not only be perfect, but be able to control every other aspect of our lives, “bridle the whole body.”
Your manner of speech can keep you out of heaven. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:37. Not just the words you speak, you will also be judged by the tone of your voice. Your words may be 100% true, but the tone unChristlike. Controlling the tongue is man’s most difficult challenge. A person who speaks only what is pure and honest and kind has attained to the goal of Christlikeness, according to James here. I would add, not only spoken words, but written words in emails and text messages are also included.
Forget the past: The final point I will bring out is where Apostle Paul writes, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:15. So, if we are to be perfect, we are to be “thus minded.” And what is “thus minded?” Let us read a few verses before. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12–13
Many people live in the past. They blame their past experiences and trials for their faults and failings today. They moan and groan about all the trials and challenges they are facing. They bring up unfair things that others did to them, misfortunes they faced in the past, and thus today their lives are miserable. Go forward—go with God. Forget the past. Yes, you bear scars from the past. Yes, your bedsheet may be torn, but God will sew it up and make you useful. He has a bright future for you, but you must let go of the past. Yes, you learn from the past, but do not let it define your future. Let God define and design your future.
We are not simply told to be perfect in the Bible; but, we are also given words of counsel in the Bible as to how to be perfect.
Of utmost importance, make sure you regularly read your Bible. Guard selfishly the hour of worship. At the end of the day, reflect on how much time you took for worship. “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.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17. The reading of the Bible leads one to Christ and thus good fruits are produced and “the man of God may be perfect.”
Regarding the law we read: “For the law made nothing perfect.” Hebrews 7:19. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Hebrews 10:1. The keeping of the law will not make one perfect. The true keeping of the law is a fruit of one who has been made perfect in Christ. A true connection with Christ comes first—works will follow. Some have it backwards in thinking they are not accepted by Christ until they have proved themselves with good works.
Jesus came to the rich young ruler and said to him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21. Although I have heard it said many times that this was the requirement for the rich young ruler, it may not necessarily be required of us to sell all that we have. We have different requirements. But, is this true?
Jesus is not asking us to be homeless today, especially if we have a family, and children to raise. Remember, though, that all that we own is a gift of God and should be dedicated to His service as required. Faithful people have used their dwellings for church services. They have shown hospitality to those travelling from distances. They have been willing to part with their financial means gladly as they saw a need. All you have belongs to God. Use it wisely and take care of it. Thus, if your houses and lands belong to God, what kind of steward are you being? Are you keeping things in order as is honouring to God? Would He feel comfortable in His home that He has loaned to you? Are you willing to give back to Him when He asks? We are to sacrifice all material goods to the service of the Lord as He directs. What we should keep in mind is that we are only stewards of what we have been loaned, and we must keep everything in good condition, being willing to give it
up when the Lord asks.
And, yes, the Lord allows us to suffer in order to perfect our character. Jesus is our example and in His humanity, He was made “perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10. We will be firmly established in the truth so that nothing can move us. The Apostle Paul knew this by experience. “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Is perfection only when one produces fruit? In Isaiah we read, “For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.” Isaiah 18:5. The bud is perfect, but pruning is required to produce excellent fruit. One who is new in the faith may appear perfect in their first love; however, they still will need the pruning of the Lord before excellent mature fruit is produced.
“The disciple is not above his Master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master.” Luke 6:40. You are to do as Jesus did if you claim Him as your Master. Live as He did. It is only possible if He is living within you. “Christ alone can help us and give us the victory. Christ must be all in all to us, He must dwell in the heart, His life must circulate through us as the blood circulates through the veins. His spirit must be a vitalizing power that will cause us to influence others to become Christlike and holy.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1144
I ask in closing, “was the thief on the cross perfect?” If perfection is a requirement for salvation, then was he perfect? He was being put to death for his crimes. The world had condemned him to death as an evil man. According to them, he was far from perfect. But if we go back to our original definition of perfection which was, being “as free as possible from all flaws and defects”, we can claim that, although he had sinned and his bedsheet was torn to shreds, Jesus sewed it up quickly and he had achieved the best perfection that was possible in his circumstance. He loudly proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah in his dying moments on Calvary.
How long does it take for one to become perfect? Justification is immediate but sanctification a lifetime. Was the thief on the cross sanctified? He had a very short lifetime—perhaps a few hours—in order to be sanctified and fit for heaven, but the Holy Spirit was working on his conscience prior to this point in time.
According to the definition, “Sanctification means habitual communion with God” (–The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 908), I have no doubt that the thief on the cross was habitually communing with God in his dying moments, until his last breath was taken.
“With untold love our God has loved us, and our love awakens toward Him as we comprehend something of the length and breadth and depth and height of this love that passeth knowledge. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of His love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of heaven. God does not employ compulsory measures; love is the agent which He uses to expel sin from the heart. By it He changes pride into humility, and enmity and unbelief into love and faith. . . .
“Jesus said, Be perfect as your Father is perfect. If you are the children of God you are partakers of His nature, and you cannot but be like Him. . . . That life in you will produce the same character and manifest the same works as it did in Him. Thus you will be in harmony with every precept of His law; for ‘the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.’ Psalm 19:7, margin. Through love ‘the righteousness of the law’ will be ‘fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ Romans 8:4.” –Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 76–78
You may have scars from your past life. Your bedsheet may have been torn, but if you let Jesus sew it up, He will do so, tenderly and lovingly and you can be perfectly useful in His cause once more. You will then be ready to meet Him when He comes in the clouds of heaven. He will give you a new garment—His robe of righteousness, which has no tears or scars in it. The moment you allow Jesus to begin working in your life, you are perfected in Him. Go forward, do not look back. “Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 12:28. Amen.
Wendy Eaton