Perfect Like Him
Jason R. Roberts
4/16/97
Perfect Like Him
There are several passages in the Bible, which when read, immediately arrest one’s attention. One such passage is found in Matthew 5:48 where Jesus Christ uttered these tremendously challenging words for Christian living,
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Now naturally the mind quizzes, how in the world can someone be perfect like his heavenly Father is perfect? When one considers the very nature of God, he is struck with the fact that everything about Him is perfect. It would seem on the surface of our thoughts almost blasphemous and impossible for one to even think that He could be perfect like God is perfect. And yet, this verse indicates that not only is it possible for us to be perfect like God it is imperative that we do so.
What does it mean to be perfect like our heavenly Father is perfect? A careful analysis of the word perfect will help us. In both instances in
Matthew 5:48 the word perfect, teleios means that which is brought to its end, finished, full grown or mature. For example, an acorn has not reached its full potential, its maturation, until it becomes a mighty oak tree. It is then and only then that the acorn has reached its end, or purpose. Likewise a Christian has not completely culminated, reached his purpose, until he is full grown or mature in Christ. It is then and only then when he becomes perfect like his heavenly Father is perfect.
Now that brings us to an interesting question. How does this process of perfection, maturity, come about. There is only one way, and that is with the preaching of the Bible.
• Paul understood this principle when he penned,
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete, fitted for apt use) thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
• James wrote,
Whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
• Paul wrote to the church at Colosse,
Whom (Christ)
we preached, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man Perfect in Christ Jesus.
The word
perfect in these verses is the same word found in Matthew.
These verses teach us that the word of God is sufficient enough to build a man’s life to such an extent that he becomes perfect like his heavenly Father is perfect. This perfection, this standard, that is set before the Christian is nothing more than a reflection of the very standard and holiness of God.
While it is true that we can never be sinlessly perfect; we can strive to emulate Jesus, our perfect example. By doing so, the Christian becomes perfect like his heavenly Father is perfect.
—Jason R. Roberts
