Be Perfect
Ever heard the expression, “Perfect!” Guilty here. Just what is perfect? Let’s make the first thing on our agenda forming answer to the question. Here it is again: What is perfect? We’ll start with words that mean the same or nearly the same-the synonyms. The first synonym for perfect is faultless. The next is flawless, a third is unflawed. Where are we with the answer now? Looking at the words together improves our comprehension. Let’s put them in a sentence. Perfect is faultless, and flawless or unflawed.
Next, we need context, how is the word perfect to be used? The word perfect can be used as an adject, noun or verb. As an adjective it means complete and correct in every way. Used as a noun, the perfect is the name the English language gives to the understanding of time in a verb. The “perfect” tense shows action that has happened in the past or before another time or event. We are NOT using the word perfect this way. As a verb perfect means to make something free from faults. We will use the word perfect as an adjective and verb. As an adjective, perfect means complete and right in every way. Be complete and right in every way of life-perfect.
Are we perfect?
Just a moment.
You wonder where the idea for a lesson on the word perfect comes from? It came from a sermon given on a mountain in the little country of Israel about 2400 years ago. The person who delivered the sermon was not ordinary. He may have looked like the usual Jewish person. He wasn’t. He was the Son of God, Jesus. He came to dwell among the humans of the earth over 2 millennia ago. He used the word “perfect” in the sermon He gave.
Before we go further, consider this-Is anything/anyone in this world REALLY perfect? Anything? Anyone? Remember this question.
Let’s go on. Just before He used the word “perfect” Jesus listed six things we (His listeners) should guard against doing: divorce, adultery, murder, oath keeping, revenge and loving your enemies. Jesus raised the bar on these topics. In fact, not one of these relational issues is possible for any human to keep.
Not…
One…
The bar was impossibly high before. Before He began the list, Jesus said, “your righteousness should exceed that of the scribes and pharisees”…EXCEED. Then we come to verse 48:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus said, “BE PERFECT…”
I am not free from faults. (Another word for faults is sins.) Sorry…don’t mean to be a bearer of bad news-you are not faultless either. Neither of us are complete and right in EVERY way. But Jesus, Creator of the World said, “Be PERFECT.” “As your heavenly Father is perfect.” Read it again-PERFECT.
Let me put the obvious in writing: NO ONE can be perfect but God!
Here is the good part. (This is why this is called Gospel-good news!)
NOW-Use perfect as a verb. As a verb it means to MAKE perfect.
In the book of Hebrews, we find an amazing verse. It shocks us. It says us we CAN be perfect, not of ourselves, but through someone else-Jesus. This is amazing.
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
You and I CAN be perfect. Jesus is our PERFECTOR. He is calling us to perfection.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Tell Him all your sorrows. All the bad things which bring you guilt. Jesus knows. He waits.
The perfection of Jesus …is available to those who come to Him. We CAN be perfect-in Jesus.