In this verse, the translators of the King James Version certainly set the bar high when they translated the Greek word teleios (tel'-i-os) as perfect instead of the more accurate translation complete. However, it makes sense when we consider that the Father is given here as the example of our desired goal to which we should aspire.
Who else would Jesus set before his followers other than his Father whom he loved above all? Not that we could ever be perfect in the same way that God is, but we can be perfectly what He has called us to be if we can yield to his will, his Word, and the Holy Spirit.
Many theologians scoff at the idea of perfection, often accusing men like John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, of teaching an impossible model of Christian perfectionism. The trouble with this argument comes when you read his life history, especially his daily journals. Therein we see a man consumed with a heart after God. Who would denigrate such a faithful and fruitful life as his to prove a theological point?
Of course, we recognize that he was not perfect, but his life certainly bears the marks of one who arose each day seeking to do the will of God. In the end of his life, in my humble opinion, we see a complete man going to heaven having fulfilled his purpose in life. If you doubt this, you would do well to read his personal journals which he kept faithfully for most of his life. They show him as a man who sought to live a perfect life, not for the sake of establishing a doctrine, but because he was consumed with the love of Christ. Those who knew him best gave testimony to his great faith and faithfulness. Who could ask for more?
If anyone understood this concept, it was Paul the Apostle. He himself wrote, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but 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. 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. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians. 3:13-17)
Christian completion is not a doctrine as much as it is an attitude. As humans, we do not naturally seek to put God first. We tend instead to seek our own in life, not necessarily as a preference for ungodliness, it is just easier to focus on things we can see than on that which we cannot see. If we are to grow into maturity, we must set our affections on things above and press toward the mark for the prize. Remember this though, our affections will naturally default to earthly things, we must set them on things above.
Maturity is a developed reality. No person is born in a completed state. Of our Lord Jesus himself the scripture tell us, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb 5:8)
With that in mind we must learn from our experiences, good and bad, and not be afraid to seek the advice of persons more mature than ourselves. Often some of the best guidance will come from those who are not even Christians. Preferably, we should humble ourselves to seek advice before we act, but usually we learn the hard way, only becoming open to outside help after reaping the negative consequences of moving ahead of God or ignoring good advice. Learning to balance the natural aspects of life is often a fundamental part of our spiritual growth.
One of the greatest deterrents to personal growth is excessive activity. For me this is the most difficult battle I face in that I am a high energy person and eager to get involved in many things. Satan desires to place us on a moving treadmill. If he cannot keep us from our salvation, he will try to keep us so busy we cannot be effective witnesses for Christ.
Every believer needs regular time seated in the presence of Christ. Our lives must be a combination of the two sisters of Lazarus: Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and learned, and Martha, who worked and served. If we only sit and learn we can become pew fillers, and we may develop an addiction to hearing without doing. If we only work, we weary by the strain of over activity and our walk becomes a duty rather than a journey.
Satan knows that maturity is in part an inward process of self-examination. While it is true that we must eventually leave the examination table and go out to experience the real world, we cannot forsake it entirely lest we go out unprepared to face our enemy who has seen all the paths that men have walked in this world. The trick is to examine ourselves without killing our faith. This may sound simple, but it is a critical balancing act to engage the world and still avoid self-condemnation.
Here are several key principles that I have found useful for this process:
• Never compare yourself with others. (2 Cor. 10:12)
• Know who you are in Christ. (Eph. 1:6; 2:1-15; Col. 2:10)
• Realize that accusation and condemnation come from Satan, while conviction and correction comes from the Lord. (Rom. 8:1, 2; Heb. 12:5-11; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:10)
• God will test your growth and you must be prepared. If you fail in some area, the Holy Spirit will use this to reveal to you where you need to mature. He is not condemning you, but He is committed to the process of both your inward and outward sanctification. (Phil. 1:6; James 1:12)
• Be aware that Satan’s temptations may appear to be the same as God’s testing, but his goal is your destruction while God’s is your construction. (James 1:13-15)
• Have close and honest fellowship with at least two Christian friends who have the same goals for personal spiritual development that you have. (Matt. 18:20)
• Stay immersed in God’s Word. When you are reading God’s Word, God’s Word is reading you and revealing your true spiritual condition to you. (Jer. 15:16; John 6:63; Heb. 4:12)
• Don’t make a doctrine out of your life but rather make a life out of your doctrine (Ps. 119)
• All of God’s promises are true and He will fulfill them in due time. (2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Pet. 1:2, 3)
• Don’t grow weary of God’s process. (Gal. 6:7-9)
If there is one thing in which we can all be perfect it is in recognizing the love and mercy that God has shown to us in the giving of his Son as Savior. By doing this we show honor and gratitude to our Heavenly Father and to Jesus his Son. By obeying the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we recognize our need for his Divine Provision and daily guidance in our life and walk with Him. * * *