What even is “perfection” anyway?
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Striving for Perfection
For Christians, the concept of “perfection” can be tempting, because we’re all striving to learn how to love one another better. It can also be confusing when in Matthew 5:48, Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
So what does "perfect" mean here?
Thanks to human imperfection, the word “perfect” used here in our modern Bible translation was “teleios” in the Greek version. This original word does not mean to be as perfect as God, but rather to mature in pursuing a goal.
What does that reveal?
The truth is, as Romans 3:23-24 reminds us, not one of us can achieve perfection on Earth.
We all fall short of God’s glory.
Every human is created with the propensity for sin, and we are all created with vastly differing characteristics. I believe our struggle with pursuing perfection is part of God’s perfect plan.
It exists to guide each one of us to receive His love and redemption, profess faith, confess sins, and realize that only Jesus is perfect. It’s His perfect love that reconciles us to God.
Have a prayer request?
Would you like Friendship ATL to join you in prayer for a specific need or concern?
