Perfection – The Impossible Dream”
I have heard the phrase, “Nobody’s Perfect” so often it has begun to feel like a dentist’s drill boring into my brain.
What I believe to be impossible, I will never reach out for.
“Nobody’s perfect,” is like static on a radio; it prevents clear reception and distorts what the radio is saying.
The oft repeated phrase, “Nobody’s perfect” does the same thing to those seeking to understand what the Scripture says about holiness of life and what God has promised to do in the human heart.
Let me first establish that absolute perfection is not what we are talking about here. Absolute perfection belongs only to God.
There are, however, perfections that God can work in the human soul. These perfections are clearly taught in Scripture, but we can’t hear them or acknowledge them because “Nobody’s perfect” has drowned them out. The mantra of worldly wisdom has caused us to dismiss the possibility of a higher life.
In an article of this size I can only touch on what Scripture declares is possible for those who believe. Before you continue, however, switch off the “Nobody’s Perfect” button, and consider seriously, just once, what God would have you believe:
You can be FILLED with Righteousness
Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 – AKJV)
Filled with what? Or, as the New American Standard Bible puts it, satisfied with what. We can be filled of satisfied with what? With RIGHEOUSNESS.
You can share GOD’S Holiness
Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He [disciplines us] for [our] good, so that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:9-10 – NASB)
You may not feel holy in yourself, but you can share in God’s holiness.
You can PARTAKE of the divine Nature
…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of [the] divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4 – NASB)
According to Peter, who himself had many imperfections, God has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Further, by believing God’s promises we can become partakers of [the] divine nature.
Now let us look at just one me:
You can be made PERFECT in Love
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18 – AKJV)
The one who fears has not been made perfect in love, but what about the one who has overcome that fear. They could only have done so in one way – by being made perfect in love.
You and I have a choice to make. Either we must wave the “Nobody’s perfect” banner, or cling to the Biblical mandate that what is impossible with man is possible with God.
(1990)
“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.” (Genesis 17:1)
“Nobody’s perfect,” as the saying goes,
And, “Everyone stumbles,” as everyone knows.
The truth of these statements no one can deny,
And yet, in some senses, that “truth” is a lie.
It’s true when you think of God’s Holy Perfection,
And all of His glory beyond man’s conception.
It’s true when no spot and no wrinkle appears
On the Nature of God in ten million light years.
And when you consider the life of God’s Son,
It’s ludicrous thinking that even just one
Other member of the human race,
Can claim to be perfect – the thought’s a disgrace.
And yet, what God said to this father of faith,
Is enough, or should be, to show you God’s Grace.
God has power to impart, at the whim of His will,
Such “perfection” as pleases His heart to instil.
Oh, not that perfection of the absolute kind,
But “perfect” submission of the will, heart and mind.
And the book of 2 Peter, chapter one and verse four,
Gives the people of God ground to hope for much more.
For it says there so plain that God’s promise is true,
That, by faith, divine nature is imparted to you.
Oh, ne’er must I glory in the wisdom of man,
But to trust in God’s promises? I know I can!
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