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Are you 'aiming for perfection'—or the status quo?
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RELIGIOUSLYINCORRECT.org
The Bible says:
"Aim for perfection...and the God of love and peace will be with you."
(2 Corinthians 13:11)
In Matthew 5:48 Jesus said:
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
But modern Christian thinking—as you may have noticed— is quite the opposite. It goes something like this:
"I'm not perfect; I never will be perfect. And God knows I never will be perfect. Therefore, He must be content with the
fact that I'm imperfect. Therefore, I see no need to 'aim for perfection' whatsoever. Simply being 'good' most of the time is
surely sufficient for God's approval."
Never cease to grow in faith, love, and knowledge
It's clear that God wants every Christian to continually grow toward perfection, toward completeness.
Just as failure to grow for a child is a sign of serious physical problems,
so failure to continually grow in our spirits is a sign of a serious spiritual condition.
Consider the following "growth" verses:
[The disciples to Jesus] Increase our faith.
(Luke 17:5)
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
(1 Thessalonians 3:12)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 3:18)
Jesus also said:
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
(Matthew 4:4)
Status quo acceptable
Clearly, many modern Christian people see no need to "aim for perfection" in their lives.
They see no need to "aim for perfection" in their speech. James said uncontrolled speech equates to "vain religion." (James 1:26)
They see no need to "aim for perfection" in their love for others, or forgiveness of others.
They see no need to "aim for perfection" in their faith and in courage, which is a reflection of one's faith.
They see no need to "aim for perfection" in their worship; in worshiping regularly (Hebrews 10:25), in worshiping in the
right spirit (John 4:24), or in worshiping according to truth in teaching and practice (John 4:24).
Amazingly, many Christians see no to need "aim for perfection" in HOW to become a Christian—as God taught in the Bible—choosing
rather to obey what modern man teaches (for what the Bible teaches, see Acts 3:19; Matthew 7:21;
Romans 10:17; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 3:21).
They see no need to "aim for perfection" in their marriages (Ephesians 5:21-33)—or in how they raise their children
(Deuteronomy 6:2-7, Ephesians 6:1-3).
They see no need to "aim for perfection" their knowledge growth and accuracy, and thus risk the danger of being
destroyed due to a lack of such (Hosea 4:6; 2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:18)
Instead, they are confident in their imperfection.
And—by not obeying the Holy Spirit's mandate to "aim for perfection" and "find out what pleases the Lord"
(Ephesians 5:10)—they have consigned themselves to a rest stop along the road of life toward the goal of perfection.
Indeed, a back track on that road is likely.
Keeping our sights set on our destination point: Perfection
It is God's will that we always strive to move forward along the road to eternal life, the road to perfection.
Whenever we justify a lack of growth in our Christian lives, we justify a lifestyle that leads to eternal condemnation. (2 Peter 1:10-11)
Jesus said:
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)
When we choose Jesus' road, we also choose a lifestyle of growth and continual improvement—in every area of our service to our Lord.
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