Perfection

As we move on to look at maturity and growth in Christ one word we think of is perfection. The word perfection means different things in the New Testament, depending on its context. It can refer to:

1. Perfection according to the law.

2. Perfection in Christ.

3. An equipping in the knowledge of Christ. Here, to perfect means to furnish.

4. Living out our salvation, meaning to make its purpose complete in its goal of love, etc. This means to fulfil in our walk the purpose of God’s call, not to perfect in the sense of never to err.

5. The resurrection at the last day.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor 7:1).

Maturation is the work of the Great Shepherd of our souls. It is not achieved by the keeping of religious traditions. Perfection in terms of living out what God has put in, is seen in this text, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do…” (Phil 2:12-13). We ensure that we do not receive the grace of God in vain.

Perfectionist movements have arisen in the past, associated either with Wesleyan concepts or Keswick progressive sanctification. In America, preachers like Moody had similar ideas. They promoted perfection as the end of a daily process of sanctification, which Christians should strive toward.

A common text for this type of belief is Phil 3:7-16. Here, Paul shows that he is not yet perfect, but presses forward that he might attain. Paul meant that he continues in the gospel, counting all else dung, that he might be found in Christ by faith and not in his own righteousness. He had not yet completed running his race. He was pressing in faith towards the resurrection and fulfilling God’s purposes.
Some people monitor their spiritual growth by benchmarks: how many hours a day we pray in tongues, how much we do for God and how much we give, rather than by what He is doing in us. They are monitoring their “growth” by works. Often, discipleship programmes are constructed in this way. This is not growth. It harms people. It is measuring us by law: “Comparing (lit. measuring) ourselves among ourselves.” (2 Cor 10:12).