"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt 4:48). The idea of us being perfect seems impossible, almost ludicrous. When I look into my own heart, I know perfectly well what's in there. But being "perfect" is mentioned throughout the New Testament, so we know it's a part of God's plan. What does it really mean?
Luke 8:14 "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasure of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection". To be perfect means to be spiritual mature, like ripe fruit picked right at the peak of perfection. It means to be like Jesus. January is the month for oranges here in Greece. They are incredible right off the tree, sweet and juicy, better than any gourmet meal. God has begun a work in our lives that will make us more and more like His Son, and we need to let Him bring this fruit, the fruit of the spirit, to final completion.
The idea of us becoming like Jesus was very dear to Paul's heart. Philippians 3:14, 15. "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 this minded......." Ephesians 4:12, 13. "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
That last passage mentions unity, and Denita pointed out a verse a few weeks ago that had escaped my attention. John 17:22, 23 "that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one." If we are united with Christ, we can be more perfectly at one with our brethren. It is love that makes two people one, and it is the love of God that unites the fellowship of saints. Jesus said that this love would be the unmistakable mark of his followers and fellowship.
John mentions the thought of a perfect love several times in his first epistle. I John 4:12 "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:17 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world." "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear." Our love is not made perfect until we trust him completely.
The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 asked Jesus what he needed to do for eternal life. Jesus told the man, a Son of the Covenant, to keep the commandments of Moses. The young man said he had observed Torah from his youth, but what did he yet lack? "Jesus said unto 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" (Matt. 19:21).
Hebrews 12:23. "But ye are come unto Mt. Zion ......... and to the spirits of just men made perfect." Hebrews 13:21. "Now the God of peace .........make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Christ Jesus ....."
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