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"ATTAINABLE PERFECTION"

 

Excerpt from

Chapter One: Are Christians Supposed to be Perfect?

 

 

Let me shock you some more by saying that those who say, “Christians can’t be perfect” are being hypocritical.  Why do I say that? because in every other area of life, they (with everyone else) strive for perfection.

Just look at all those catchy, quotable motivational quips that you have undoubtedly seen.  They are everywhere!  Dentists’ lobbies, school stairwells, business offices, country club hallways, locker rooms, airport lounges, gyms, civic centers, youth hang outs, and even church foyers.  They are on pictures, plaques, mugs, mouse pads, calendars, clocks, paperweights, and the internet.  You hear them from teachers, presidents, coaches, CEOs, college kids, insurance salesmen, and – yes! – pastors.  These celebrated words of wisdom are nothing more than mankind expressing his pursuit of perfection.

Here are a few of the hundreds out there:

 

Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.

— Anonymous

 

A man can be as great as he wants to be.

— Vince Lombardi

 

The harder the course, the more rewarding the triumph.

— Anonymous

 

If you can dream it, you can do it.

— Walt Disney

 

See what I mean?  We all know what it takes to be a winner in business, sports, education, the arts, etc. and we are more than willing to pay the price of sacrifice, discipline, and high standards when it comes to things that benefit us.  Yet when it comes to serving the Lord people slip on this comfy, cozy, casual attitude and then sing along with Satan about being free from Christian obligation.

 Do you realize, my friend, what these words, these maxims about not being perfect are creating in the Body of Christ? an environment of idolatry.  People are setting personal pursuit on the altar of their heart and bowing low, because while they are told that God does not demand anything from them, they are also told that the Church is really here to help reach their ambitions and their dreams.  We humans thrive on goals, and if we are not going after God’s we automatically default to those of selfish design.  Hence, the idolatry, the reason we have scads of church members far more devoted to losing their love handles or becoming a pop star than seeking the Kingdom.

When someone hears, “You can’t be perfect,” they soon begin saying, “I can’t be perfect,” and then they have lost the race even before they have begun to run.  Why not train each other with those motivational sayings of the Bible?  You know, the ones we quote when we are seeking God to give us something we want.  Why not use them with regard to becoming perfect in our faith?

 

"If God be for us, who can be against us?"

—      Romans 8:31

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

— Philippians 4:13 

 

"… greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

— 1 John 4:4 

 

 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

— Philippians 4:19

 

 Let it be said again: God does call and expect us, His children, to become perfect – or as the definitions reveal – mature, sincere, entire, and obtainers of the Heavenly result for which we were foreordained.  If you will get that set in your spirit, you will be a million times closer to the real Gospel than those who look to Heaven with excuses.

 

 

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