PERFECTION

In the Surrendered post, we observed one of the required conditions of the heart for true discipleship.  That is, presenting to God, an undivided heart, entirely devoted to him.  Only then can he use this heart for his glory.  Biblically, referred to as the perfecting of the saints.  

 

…the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ…(Eph. 4:12 BLB)

 

Google defines perfection as: the action or process of improving something until it is faultless or as faultless as possible. 

 

I have to admit that for as long as I can remember, my perception of biblical perfection was a life that was faultless in regards to sin. In other words: the ability to stop sinning.  It is however, as I began to dwell on scripture, I found..

 

…a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again… (Pr. 24:16 NKJV)

 

This verse labels an individual righteous, even though they may have fallen seven times.  A further consideration of scripture had revealed that my perception of perfection was entirely off.  I viewed perfection as the outward display of a life void of sin.  Yet Christ entirely confronted this belief when he proclaimed that you are able to commit a sin in the heart, without even the outward display of it.   (see Matt. 5:28)

 I first noticed that God called Abram to a life of perfection:

 

 

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

 

And from then on God had begun a work on his heart.  Outwardly, the process presented as a series of difficult tests and trials.  However inwardly, the heart was accomplishing perfection.  Specifically, not a life absent of sin but faultless, AS IN one of undivided devotion to God.  

 

The simplified definition of devotion is Love and Loyalty.  

 

…that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Eph 1:4 KJV)

Notice, for Abram, every area of his life was tested.  The final test of devotion (love and loyalty) was the sacrificial giving up of his son, Isaac.  The test for Abram was, will you give up your love and loyalty to your son for me? 

 

 

The NT also tells a story of a young rich man whom Christ offers discipleship with the same condition: 

 

If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  (Luke 18:22 NKJV)

 

The young man had a divided heart.  His love and loyalties were placed on his possessions.  Therefore, he walked away, losing an opportunity for discipleship. Later, Christ reveals to the disciples that although perfection would have been entirely difficult to accomplish for a wealthy man, with God all things are possible. 

 

You see, it is simple to outwardly verbalize your devotion as Peter did, when he declared that he would not deny Christ.  Yet Gods demands an inward devotion of the heart, something only he can accomplish, given the opportunity.  Much later, just prior to revealing his ministry instructions to Peter, three times the Lord questions his devotion.  

 

 

… “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” … Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me? … Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” (John 21:16 BSB)

 

 

 

 

Supporting texts

 

  Create in me a pure heart, O God (ps. 51:10)

But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. (1 John 2:5 BSB)

 

…you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…(Mark 12:30 NKJV)