As Christians we strive for perfection but sometimes fail

FRIDAY, SEP. 21: Philippians 3:12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

I am amazed and somewhat amused that Christians are criticized for thinking they are ‘perfect’. I believe there simply is confusion, amongst opposing sides, of the term ‘perfect’.

Sin

To those who criticize Christians, the word perfect means without error, without sin, never making a mistake and never wrong.

However, for the Christian, the term ‘perfect’ means to mature, to complete or accomplish, or to perfect.

In other words, the Christian is constantly moving towards perfection, and though he or she may perfect a given area of their Christian walk, the process is still not complete.

For as long as the Word of God is teaching another lesson, then each and every Christian is yet attaining to another level of perfection or maturity.

This is actually the process of sanctification. Perfection, in Christianity, is wrought through constant sanctification.

A Christian must choose to daily separate from unworldliness and separate to God.

To many, the Christian walk has become quite easy.

Many folks believe that they can do as they desire and then walk in God’s House and conjure up His holy presence.

There is no separation from sin, until Sunday morning.

There is no separation from profanity, lying, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, hating others and the like.

Well, that would be an imperfect walk. That kind of walk, which is not submitted to The Holy Spirit, will not result in a person being perfected.

That person has not chosen to walk after the ways of Jesus Christ, in its fullness.

The sad thing is that such an attitude presents an issue for those who look at all Christians as being the same. They must choose from what they see.

They see:

• One set of Christians walking in ways that are eerily similar to them. Therefore, they have no desire to be a Christian.
• Another set of Christians seemingly acting ‘higher than Thou’. In fact, these Christians are actually striving to reach a place of constant perfection. No, they are not perfect; they are daily striving to walk in perfection.
• Sinners are faced with such a choice, a choice that should not be.

In God’s Word, Christians are continuously charged to strive for a place of perfection, so that they become more and more like our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This then means that sinners ought to see only one type of Christian.

A perfect Christian, who is walking and striving daily to do all things right.

Now, Christians will falter and even fail; yet, their daily walk is sincere and they make a concerted effort to not ‘drop the ball’.

Unless and until Christians choose to daily walk, striving for perfection, sinners will choose to model their own walk after imperfect Christians and sadly provide an excuse for sinners to remain in sin.

The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to have the mind of Jesus Christ.

Having the mind of Jesus would surely result in a perfected walk and lifestyle.

Let us choose to walk after Christ and thereby provide a suitable example to others, so that they may choose a way that would be found pleasing to God.

Let’s be arrested by the ways of Jesus Christ and not arrested by the ways of the world. Blessings abound.

Dr Maria A. Seaman is the pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre, North Shore, Hamilton Parish.