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Can man obtain perfection?


Introduction. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," commanded Jesus (Matt. 5: 48). Notwithstanding we read, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1: 8, 10). What is the answer to this apparent contradiction?

Perfect in the sense of maturity. Sometimes the idea of "perfect" as used in the scriptures is that of maturity. The writer of the Hebrew Epistle wrote, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5: 14). If you have a footnote in you Bible for "full age," it will probably read, "mature" (the Greek word is the word for "perfect"). In fact, when there is sufficient time, it is a sin to fail to become perfect or mature (Heb. 5: 11-14, 1 Cor. 3: 1-3, 1 Pet. 2: 1-3).

Man does not attain sinlessness. Regardless of the level of maturity, man remains a sinner, in need of God's grace. Paul penned, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3: 23). If man could be perfect in the sense of sinlessness, he could earn his salvation. However, salvation cannot be merited and the only thing earned is spiritual death (Tit. 3: 5; Rom. 6: 23). Salvation by grace and flawless works cannot be combined, as they are mutually exclusive (Rom. 11: 6).

Having said the foregoing, I hasten to add that man must not use his lack of sinlessness as a cop out. The goal remains, "Be ye perfect" and the example of perfection is God, "even as your Father...is perfect" (Matt. 5: 48). Even though there is provision made for sin, the Christian is commanded to "sin not" (1 John 2: 1). Paul's stated goal is: "Whom we preach...and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1: 28).
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