Topical Bible: Perfection: Saints Commanded to Aim At

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The concept of perfection in the Christian life is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, where believers are exhorted to pursue a life that reflects the holiness and completeness of God. This pursuit is not merely an ideal but a command that underscores the transformative journey of sanctification in the life of a believer.

Biblical Foundation

The call to perfection is rooted in the character of God Himself. In the Old Testament, God commands His people, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). This call to holiness is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus instructs His followers, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Here, perfection is understood as a call to maturity and completeness in love, reflecting the perfect nature of God.

Nature of Perfection

Perfection, in the biblical sense, does not imply a state of sinlessness or flawlessness in this life. Rather, it denotes a wholehearted devotion to God and a sincere effort to live according to His will. The Apostle Paul speaks to this dynamic process in Philippians 3:12-14 , where he acknowledges that he has not yet attained perfection but presses on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him. This passage highlights the ongoing nature of spiritual growth and the believer's active role in pursuing Christlikeness.

Means of Attaining Perfection

The pursuit of perfection is facilitated by the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to grow in grace and knowledge. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7). This progression illustrates the cooperative effort between divine enablement and human responsibility in the journey toward spiritual maturity.

Role of the Church

The community of believers, the Church, plays a vital role in the pursuit of perfection. Ephesians 4:11-13 describes how Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. This communal aspect underscores the importance of mutual edification and accountability in the believer's quest for perfection.

Eschatological Hope

While the call to perfection is a present reality, it also carries an eschatological dimension. The ultimate perfection of the saints will be realized at the return of Christ, when believers will be transformed into His likeness. The Apostle John writes, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). This future hope motivates believers to purify themselves, just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3).

In summary, the command for saints to aim at perfection is a call to reflect the character of God through a life of holiness, love, and spiritual maturity. It is a dynamic process empowered by the Holy Spirit, nurtured within the community of faith, and anchored in the hope of Christ's return.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 18:13
You shall be perfect with the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Religious Perfection is Diminished by Possessing Something ...
... apostles thus provide for the needs of the saints?". ... of which would be an obstacle
to religious perfection. ... And though our Lord commanded those who were sent to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious perfection is diminished.htm

The Beauty and Excellency of this World Consists, not Only in the ...
... are begotten of God, the one declared, the other commanded. ... This perfection is charity
and love to all. ... coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter i the beauty and.htm

Sanctification.
... Suppose the saints commanded to be perfect, and to "grow ... will of God," be not Christian
perfection, what is? ... short the sufferings of the saints, and introduces ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvii sanctification.htm

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
... Here we are commanded to cleanse ourselves ... so here with the perfection which the
saints have in ... in Himself: He holds out the prospect of perfection ever growing ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-fourth day holiness and cleansing.htm

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
... under the condition that the reward is to be paid on the things commanded being
done ... If any one choose to give the name of perfection to the saints, I shall ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 the promises of.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Here then the saints take shelter from the roaring of the ... was set above it, for so
was Moses commanded to place ... of his people, and with the perfection of which ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... of perfection, altogether without infirmity, a perfection as in ... for he remembers
that Christians are commanded to bear ... way Christ is in his saints, and beware ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

Motives Inducing to Religion to be Examined...
... in the church, before God and His saints: 1. a ... of those that aspire to the perfection
of divine love ... an exact performance of regular observances commanded by man ...
/.../chapter iv motives inducing to.htm

The Glory of Penitents and Pious People.
... who never despised or rejected repentant sinners, commanded the devils ... Many of them
were great saints, such as a ... were few, and never brought to any perfection. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xx the glory of.htm

Obedience to the Moral Law.
... And perfection in an angel would imply much greater faith ... stumbling-block and a snare
for the saints, to keep ... did not wait to reflect, that God commanded me to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xi obedience to the.htm