Nobody’s Perfect

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. — Psalm 37:37

Perfection is an issue that is often brought up in Christian circles. Oddly, however, it’s not usually discussed within the spectrum of what’s on the mind of the Lord. This is something that has been on my heart a long time. A recent “episode” with a group of brethren brought the issue back to the forefront of my heart and the Lord began to impress this upon me as something to be elaborated upon through Cry Aloud.

What episode am I referred to? I recently gathered with a group of Christians for fellowship. During the outing, one of the brethren, seemingly upset about some of the topics discussed, voiced his displeasure, stating that, “We used to get together in the past and discuss issues in our lives and where we needed help. Now we just gather and talk as if we are already perfect.” In and of itself, that statement wasn’t really bad. What’s wrong with it was the fact that nothing strange, pompous, arrogant, self-righteous, self-sufficient or Pharisaic had been discussed. Several individuals did, however, simply bring up issues of excellence — just by discussing the word “as-is”, highlighting the will of God — the goal for our lives. Nobody laid a claim on having arrived, but simply identified what the will of God was for various areas of our lives.

When the brother made reference to being “perfect”, he wasn’t dealing with it in its proper scriptural context, but from a perspective of being without flaw. I recall the incident from a few weeks ago only as an example, but the message of “you’re not perfect” is resounding loudly in places where the people of God come for the purpose of being fed — radio, TV, periodicals and in church. This ought not so to be. This mindset is HIGHLY dangerous for the Christian. Everywhere you turn, you’re likely to hear someone “supposedly” speaking on the behalf of Christ make reference to not being perfect, but never informing or reminding the Christian that we are actually called to perfection. In my 19 years, I have never heard “perfection” elaborated upon with great thoroughness. For the protection of the sheep, this must change. Perfection must be understood and sought after by all who desire the Lord Jesus.

The scriptures speak, basically, of two types of perfection — maturity (completeness) and consummation (accomplished or finished). One of the tricks of the enemy is to ascribe things to us that are blatantly obvious. It is obvious that we are not “finished” in our walk with the Lord. It is obvious that God’s developing work in our life is not complete. All of us can identify areas where we need to grow. Even areas that we would consider ourselves to do well in are light years from where they could be given the time, wisdom and press to develop. Our focus should not be on this type of perfection (consummation), but should be on being complete and mature. This is the calling of the Christian.

To illustrate this difference, consider Paul’s familiar exhortation in Philippians 3:12-15. Both types of perfection are dealt with in this passage. This also illustrates how important word study is, as two different Greek words are translated into the same English word, but with different meanings. If we are not aware of the differences in meaning, we will wrest the scriptures and create one or more problems.

• (Genesis 6:9): These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Here, “perfect” means “to be entire from a standpoint of integrity and truth”. Note that the Holy Ghost didn’t say that Noah was trying to be perfect. It said that he was. This means that being perfect is attainable, realistic and pleasing in the sight of God. NOTE: The word translated “perfect” in this passage is also translated “upright”. Job was also referred to as “perfect” (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). There, the word “perfect” meant “complete” and “morally pious”. The word was also translated “undefiled”. This is the same word used in Psalm 37:37 — Mark the “perfect” man… He does exist.

• (Genesis 17:1-2): 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. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. In this familiar passage, we see an exhortation for Abram to be perfect. The covenant between Abram and God was actually dependent upon it.

• (Deuteronomy 18:13): Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. Yet another exhortation to be perfect before the Lord. Please note that this commandments appears in both the Old and New Testament (Covenant). God would not command it if it could not be done.
• (Deuteronomy 32:4): He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. This reference speaks of the perfectness of God and, therefore, lends a point of reference to Matthew 5:48. We are told to be perfect as He is perfect. This verse gives insight into how He is perfect — in character, integrity and truth. A perfect Christian is one who walks in the integrity of the Lord (His light).
• (1 Kings 8:61): Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. This exhortation to Solomon illustrates the need for a perfect heart. Here, the word translated perfect means “to be complete” and/or “friendly”. The word “friendly” brought James 1:21 to mind, which speaks of receiving the word with meekness (with a non-retaliatory, non-antagonistic heart and mindset). In other words, we should be approachable with the word of God, regardless of the level or content of approach — friendly.
• (1 Kings 11:4): For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. This verse illustrates what an imperfect heart will do. An imperfect heart is geared toward things that are not pleasing in the sight of God. In Solomon’s case, the imperfectness manifested itself in the pursuit of strange women and false gods — things he had received emphatic instruction to avoid. What instruction have you received from the Lord? Are you pursuing the things of God or the things God warned you about? Those who pursue what God has warned them about are not perfect. Those who are seeking the things ordained by God are perfect.
• (2 Kings 20:3): I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. This verse illustrates that we can and should be aware if we are being perfect. Hezekiah knew he had a perfect heart toward the Lord (same definition as in 1 Kings 8:61) and was not considered arrogant for doing so. Those who are standing properly before the Lord and don’t know it are in danger, just as those who are not standing properly before the Lord and think they are. Both are at-risk, vulnerable individuals.
• (1 Chronicles 29:9): Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. This verse speaks about our giving. We should give with a perfect heart. A perfect heart in giving is marked by its willingness. The blessedness in this case extends beyond “the offering plate” as David was moved to rejoice because of the perfect heart of the people. There is nothing that a leader (e.g., pastor, minister) should want more than people in the fold he has been charged with to have perfect hearts toward the Lord.
• (1 Chronicles 29:19): And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision. This one is worth special noting because of its impression of intercession. David prays regarding the heart of his son, Solomon. This speaks to the need of intercession by parents. It also speaks to the need of intercession of leaders for those who God is raising up under them, especially during a time of release as it is here. Colossians 4:12 is another good reference linking perfectness and intercession.
• (2 Chronicles 8:16): Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected. This reference speaks regarding the perfectness of our works. Solomon was building the temple. Once the work was completed (according to specifications) the Holy Ghost refers to it as being “perfected”. Perfect works are also referred to in Revelation 3:2 (I have not found thy works perfect [satisfied, completed, finished in accordance with expectation] before God). What has God charged you to do? What have you been given? The building of the temple was not a commandment, but something David was inspired to do. God simply sanctioned the project. Therefore, perfect works can be something God has either commanded or sanctioned in our lives.
• (2 Chronicles 16:9): For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. God is committed to showing himself strong, but only toward those whose hearts are perfect towards Him.
• (2 Chronicles 19:9): And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. We can’t discuss “perfection” without discussing faithfulness. We can safely say that faithfulness is the offspring of a perfect heart. You won’t see one without the other. A lack of faithfulness denotes a lack of perfection.
• (2 Chronicles 25:2): And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. How this for a one-two punch? You can do that which is right in God’s sight, but with the wrong mindset. How can we identify this? Wrong motives, perhaps? Misdirected goals, maybe? No. Reading further in 2 Chronicles 25, shows that King Amaziah (the person referred to in verse 2) did the will of the Lord, but did not do so completely. He partially kept commandments, disorganized the army of Israel, withstood the word of the prophet, led God’s people into destruction insomuch that he was said to have turned away from following God. Incomplete obedience is a mark of imperfection. If Noah had used a type of wood not specified by the Lord, he would have been imperfect. If the ark of the covenant’s specifications had been changed presumptuously, it would have been imperfect. If the apostles had not preached what Jesus taught them, the work would have been imperfect and we would have a bad foundation. Are you complete/perfect in your works today? Are you doing what God commanded with a perfect (complete) heart or is your obedience partial? Partial obedience is also reflected in Matthew 7:22-23. It’s the will of the Lord that people prophesy in His name. It’s His will that demons be cast out. It’s His will that many wonderful works be done in His name. Doing that alone, however, is not enough. Jesus referred to these individuals as “workers of iniquity” which was more representative of their status than the works they did — partial obedience, doing the part that appealed to them.

• (Psalms 64:4): That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. Perfect people are the targets of the wicked. This Old Testament verse is akin to 2 Timothy 3:12-13 — Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. This lends credence to the fact that perfect people exist NOW. If nobody’s perfect, then nobody’s obeying Christ and everybody’s in trouble.

• (Psalms 101:2): I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Now this is a confession! A confession is something that grips the heart, not something someone tries to psych themselves into believing or something people manipulate into coming to pass by repeating it over and over. The psalmist was committed to perfection, just as we should be.
• (Ezekiel 28:15): Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Lucifer was perfect until he turned to iniquity. Our purpose and embracing of perfection is something that must be maintained. Second Peter 3:17-18 echoes this sentiment saying, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
• (Matthew 19:21): Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Jesus’ exhortation to the rich, young ruler regarded the one thing he lacked. If we lack something that God has ordered, we are not perfect. This is why we must embrace the instruction of the Lord. It leads us to or keeps us on the road of perfection. This is also another witness from the mouth of Jesus regarding the ability to be perfect. The people saying “nobody’s perfect” are lying to you. Guess where they’re getting that message from? Selah.
• (1 Corinthians 2:6): Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought…. The word of God is directed to those that are perfect. Concurrently, Jesus instructed Peter to “Feed His sheep.” There is absolutely no mention of feeding (shepherding) those who are not sheep at any time in scripture. There’s a lot of “wolf feeding” going on and it must cease.
• (2 Corinthians 13:11): Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Yet another exhortation to be perfect — and the promise associated with it.
• (Colossians 1:28): Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus…. This verse was recently adopted as the signature verse for this ministry. Ironically, this focus and purpose should be embraced by all ministries. Any ministry that does not strive to equip people to be perfect in Christ Jesus is NOT doing ministry. They’re fakers and criminals in God’s sight. Ministry that does not seek to help present every man perfect (complete and mature) in Christ Jesus is falling short of the glory of God. This verse also implies that one does not attain perfection in Christ Jesus without receiving preaching, warning and teaching in all wisdom.
• (Colossians 3:14): And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond (uniting principle) of perfectness. We cannot be perfect without charity (love). We’re probably all familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, but how many of us know how to walk in charity or attain unto charity. This is explained in 2 Peter 1. Attaining charity in Christ is preceded by diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness and brotherly kindness. True charity only comes after these elements in our lives. Those who attempt or claim to embrace charity without these elements is…well…lying (1 John 2:4).
• (2 Timothy 3:16-17): 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Lastly, the man of God — he that teaches the word of God — is ordained to be perfect in ministerial operation. This perfection is supplied by the word of God — not theological books, not life’s experiences, not “closet-born revelations”, but the word of God.