The Truth About Perfection

Perfect.

That is a scary word.

So many negative connotations accompany it that it brings with it an oppressive cloud of inadequacy.  Our world offers us many definitions of, roads to, and pictures of perfection; each one convincing us that we are just aren’t quite hitting the mark.  Then begins our desperate attempts to convince ourselves that it’s ok if we don’t. 

“Nobody is perfect!” we say.

We hear about perfection in the church too.  It’s spoken of as a far off state of being that we will reach “someday” and that’s ok with us.  It keeps us hopeful as it sparkles dimly in the distance encouraging us of how great we might be after death.  Still we strive for it.  We stack up our accomplishments, our great godly deeds, and think to ourselves “Look how good I am!”  Then we fail.  We hide it, brushing it under the rug, pretending it’s ok.

“Nobody is perfect!” we say.

Two different worlds telling us the same lie.  The lie that we can never be perfect and to never stop trying.  The lie that leaves us hearing nothing but the voice that screams, “You will never be good enough!”

Do you want to know the truth?

You are perfect.  Right here, right now, in this moment while you read this, you are perfect.

All those years ago when Christ, the perfect man, willingly walked to His death; sin was defeated.  Death was conquered.  The power of the law to condemn us was stripped away and His perfection was offered to us, the dirty and broken.  When we accept that, when we take in that free gift that is offered to us who don’t deserve it, our spirits become one with his.  Everything thing he has, the essence of Him, yes, even His perfection becomes ours! 

“By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world.” -1 John 4:17 (NET, emphasis added)

We are perfect because He is perfect!  Our status of perfection then becomes based on how perfect He remains before the Father.  We have no ability to be any more or less perfect than we already are!  As Jesus is, so also are we!  You can stop trying your best to be “good enough” for Him, for others, or even for yourself.  Stop holding tightly to your achievements of goodness or using them as footstools to mount your high horse.  Rest.  Just be who you are, His perfect one.  Live out of that. 

I leave you with a verse.  May it be an encouragement, inspiration, and reason to throw a party for you!  Grace and peace with you always, my perfect brothers and sisters.

“Therefore let those of us who are perfect embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.  Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained.” –Philippians 3:15-16 (NET)