Perfection

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV

In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew 5:48 MSG

Perfect = finished, complete, not defective, fully informed
             
  -- Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary

It seems an impossible task to be perfect or complete. Other than Jesus, there is no one who has ever lived without sinning.
(See Isaiah 7:14-16, 2 Corinthians 5:12)

We all know that Jesus is the second person of the Godhead. God is perfect. He cannot sin. God has never sinned.


So how can we live a life similar to the way Christ did? He abstained from sin...

Well my friends. This perfection spoken of pertains to sanctification and justification following salvation. These processes begin when someone gives their life to Christ. An amazing transformation occurs. We start becoming more like Jesus when we accept Him.

As we walk with Christ, we mature spiritually. We slowly are perfected. It isn't something we can make happen or speed up on our own. It will come as we follow the instructions He left for us. The word (holy bible).

Read the Bible as often as you can:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Plug into a Bible believing church:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Fill your mind, heart, and life with good things:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:8

God has not set an impossible task before us. We can allow Him to perfect and mature us. We can be open to Him as he molds us, shapes us, and completes us. Let's be open to His Holy Spirit and to His written Word...

-- Jeremy Brown 2003

See John Wesley's Book: A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
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