| WHAT DOES JESUS MEAN, "BE YE PERFECT"? |
Scripture: Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The objective of overcomingself.net is to help self remove barriers that block out God.
This topic certainly fits that purpose. Probably you have heard, "Nobody's perfect,"
Then in Matthew 5:48 Jesus tells His followers, "Be ye perfect." This article is to
promote understanding.
This topic certainly fits that purpose. Probably you have heard, "Nobody's perfect,"
Then in Matthew 5:48 Jesus tells His followers, "Be ye perfect." This article is to
promote understanding.
In Genesis 3:4, the serpent flipped over God's command. God told Adam and Eve that
if they ate the forbidden fruit "thou shalt surely die" (sin, Genesis 2:17). The serpent,
the devil, said unto the woman,"Ye shall not surely die," thus poisoning the purity of
God's command in the minds of Eve and then Adam.
if they ate the forbidden fruit "thou shalt surely die" (sin, Genesis 2:17). The serpent,
the devil, said unto the woman,"Ye shall not surely die," thus poisoning the purity of
God's command in the minds of Eve and then Adam.
Now today in many corners, including and especially religious, we hear the
contradiction of Jesus, telling us: "Ye shall not be perfect." However, God has placed
ministers of Christ here to teach "the words of faith and good doctrine" (1 Timothy
4:6). God knows what we need against Satan's lies and his word confusions, and so
charges, "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). So now, a word about "PERFECT."
contradiction of Jesus, telling us: "Ye shall not be perfect." However, God has placed
ministers of Christ here to teach "the words of faith and good doctrine" (1 Timothy
4:6). God knows what we need against Satan's lies and his word confusions, and so
charges, "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). So now, a word about "PERFECT."
Let us say, a plumber closed out his work fixing pipes in the attic of an old house. But
the plumber failed to tighten the couplings and now water is dripping all over. Would it
do for the plumber to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No, just fix the pipes please.
the plumber failed to tighten the couplings and now water is dripping all over. Would it
do for the plumber to say, "Well, nobody's perfect." No, just fix the pipes please.
Let us say, a road crew working at a high risk intersection put up a stop sign, but on
the wrong corner. Would it do for the crew worker to say, "Well, nobody's perfect."
No just go back and install the sign properly please.
the wrong corner. Would it do for the crew worker to say, "Well, nobody's perfect."
No just go back and install the sign properly please.
Let us say, a political leader takes a bribe to give away sensitive data to a known
national enemy. Would it do for the leader to answer by saying, "Nobody's perfect."
No, because there are serious consequences for treason. That is why there are laws
and oaths against such "imperfections."
national enemy. Would it do for the leader to answer by saying, "Nobody's perfect."
No, because there are serious consequences for treason. That is why there are laws
and oaths against such "imperfections."
When our own self is directly at stake, we understand quite well the necessity of
following high standards (think, brain surgery). However, when it comes to God's
words, how quickly people get slothful and careless. When a person has not overcome
self (or has been brainwashed), they try to lower the bar, and bring down the standard.
It is a subtle way of rejecting God's word. It is done to accommodate the ignorance,
slothfulness, and rebellion of "self." By saying "nobody's perfect, we're only
human...", they write off a portion of God's word. This is why in order to Overcome
Self, we need to get a handle on being "Perfect," from a Bible standpoint.
following high standards (think, brain surgery). However, when it comes to God's
words, how quickly people get slothful and careless. When a person has not overcome
self (or has been brainwashed), they try to lower the bar, and bring down the standard.
It is a subtle way of rejecting God's word. It is done to accommodate the ignorance,
slothfulness, and rebellion of "self." By saying "nobody's perfect, we're only
human...", they write off a portion of God's word. This is why in order to Overcome
Self, we need to get a handle on being "Perfect," from a Bible standpoint.
God is immortal. 1 Timothy 1:17 says, Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This
scripture shows that God is immortal. He makes no mistakes. He is "everlasting"
(Psalm 90:1-2), and thus not subject to bondage of flesh, or any false persuasion.
"God is not a man .." (Numbers 23:19; cf. 1 Samuel 15:29; James 1:17).
invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This
scripture shows that God is immortal. He makes no mistakes. He is "everlasting"
(Psalm 90:1-2), and thus not subject to bondage of flesh, or any false persuasion.
"God is not a man .." (Numbers 23:19; cf. 1 Samuel 15:29; James 1:17).
Man is mortal. From Romans 8:1-11 comes this, But if the Spirit of him that raised
up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (verse 11). This
shows that humankind is mortal, in the flesh, subject to death. Man is subject to sins,
faults, and despite his best efforts, will make mistakes. However, unlike the animals,
God did put a "spirit in man" (Zechariah 12:1) that is a free will who can obey the
Creator out of love. Man is not a robot on automatic (although some act that way), but
created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).
up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (verse 11). This
shows that humankind is mortal, in the flesh, subject to death. Man is subject to sins,
faults, and despite his best efforts, will make mistakes. However, unlike the animals,
God did put a "spirit in man" (Zechariah 12:1) that is a free will who can obey the
Creator out of love. Man is not a robot on automatic (although some act that way), but
created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27).
In 1 Kings 15:14-24 we read that king "Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord" (verse
14). But this did not exempt Asa later from wrongdoing. As recorded in 2 Chronicles
16:7-14, Asa relied on Syria when he should have relied on the Lord. Then Asa put in
prison the messenger who told him he was wrong, and oppressed some of the people.
Then later when he was much diseased in his feet he sought physicians but not to the
Lord, as he should have. You see, the earlier mention of his "perfect" heart was based
on God's reckoning toward the good efforts of Asa in Israel. (Key word:
"God's.") Although man pretends, only God has all the facts (Acts 1:24; 15:8; John
2:25).
14). But this did not exempt Asa later from wrongdoing. As recorded in 2 Chronicles
16:7-14, Asa relied on Syria when he should have relied on the Lord. Then Asa put in
prison the messenger who told him he was wrong, and oppressed some of the people.
Then later when he was much diseased in his feet he sought physicians but not to the
Lord, as he should have. You see, the earlier mention of his "perfect" heart was based
on God's reckoning toward the good efforts of Asa in Israel. (Key word:
"God's.") Although man pretends, only God has all the facts (Acts 1:24; 15:8; John
2:25).
Very helpful here are 2 Thessalonians 1:5,11. Which is a manifest token of the
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which ye also suffer: 11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God
would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with power. Notice, "counted worthy" and "count
you worthy." We don't make it with God because of absolute flawlessness, but
because He who knows us, may "count" (reckon) us so (cp Luke 20:35). How do we
get to be so "counted" by God?
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which ye also suffer: 11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God
would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with power. Notice, "counted worthy" and "count
you worthy." We don't make it with God because of absolute flawlessness, but
because He who knows us, may "count" (reckon) us so (cp Luke 20:35). How do we
get to be so "counted" by God?
May I contend that the way a soul comes to be counted perfect by God is, by being
fully obedient. James 1:4 says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be
perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jesus led the way and left an example (Hebrews
5:8-9), 8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; 9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him. Here are some everyday examples of why this is so important:
fully obedient. James 1:4 says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be
perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jesus led the way and left an example (Hebrews
5:8-9), 8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; 9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him. Here are some everyday examples of why this is so important:
After acknowledging the Bible goal is set high, some will say, "It is
not possible to reach it." To many people, this can discourage.
not possible to reach it." To many people, this can discourage.
Counselors on lowering stress will say, "Do not be over hard on
yourself; you may have to ease up." When overdoing it, such
advice can be good. But then they may turn around and say ,"Don't
try to be perfect." The effect of this, if not thought out, can be bad
yourself; you may have to ease up." When overdoing it, such
advice can be good. But then they may turn around and say ,"Don't
try to be perfect." The effect of this, if not thought out, can be bad
A billboard said: "Welcome to perfect church, for those who
aren't." The problem is, we never read of Jesus and the apostles
lowering people's standards with culture-based pseudo-humility. We
need all the help we can get in the other direction.
aren't." The problem is, we never read of Jesus and the apostles
lowering people's standards with culture-based pseudo-humility. We
need all the help we can get in the other direction.
Some may contend that this doctrine of "perfect" will produce a bunch of half-baked,
arrogant know-it-alls who pretend they can do no wrong. No, just the opposite. When
rightly understood, humility comes when people realize that perfection comes only
when so granted by God who must approve us. It is so foolish to think that humanistic
self-esteem approaches will make nicer people than the true gospel of Christ. To
paraphrase somebody's old quote, the true gospel "has not been tried and found
wanting; the problem is when it has not been tried." And God will deal with the
arrogant or ignorant who try to hijack "perfect" to cover their own wrongness.
arrogant know-it-alls who pretend they can do no wrong. No, just the opposite. When
rightly understood, humility comes when people realize that perfection comes only
when so granted by God who must approve us. It is so foolish to think that humanistic
self-esteem approaches will make nicer people than the true gospel of Christ. To
paraphrase somebody's old quote, the true gospel "has not been tried and found
wanting; the problem is when it has not been tried." And God will deal with the
arrogant or ignorant who try to hijack "perfect" to cover their own wrongness.
In an area Nov. '04 advertising guide for an automobile brand [in which, ironically,
"pursue" was misspelled], the ad said, "We persue perfection so you can persue
living." (sic) People that pursue perfection with cars, can do so with their own souls.
"pursue" was misspelled], the ad said, "We persue perfection so you can persue
living." (sic) People that pursue perfection with cars, can do so with their own souls.
Would you like another Bible word, perhaps to sort out the confused baggage
associated with "perfect"? How about "blameless"? As used of the Christian in
Philippians 2:15, blameless does not mean never sinned - only Jesus can claim that. It
means one is not sinning now, has fully repented, and is living obedient to the word of
truth (Roman 16:25-26). In 1 Timothy 3:2, to qualify as an elder (bishop, pastor, 1
Peter 5:1-2), both within and without, the man must be "blameless." That means no
charge against him can be sustained.
associated with "perfect"? How about "blameless"? As used of the Christian in
Philippians 2:15, blameless does not mean never sinned - only Jesus can claim that. It
means one is not sinning now, has fully repented, and is living obedient to the word of
truth (Roman 16:25-26). In 1 Timothy 3:2, to qualify as an elder (bishop, pastor, 1
Peter 5:1-2), both within and without, the man must be "blameless." That means no
charge against him can be sustained.
Or, as in the New KJV, the Christians were exhorted and prayed for, "that you may be
made complete" (in KJV, "perfection"). This "made complete" or "perfection"
comes from the Greek word katartisis. In F.Rienecker & C. Rogers' Linguistic Key to
the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), it defines katartisis
as: "perfecting, fitting together. It is used in the sense of setting bones or reconciling
parties and refers here to the growth in holiness (Plummer)." So it is the process of
being perfected. In Hebrew 11:3 perfect is that "framed" with wisdom, as with God
making the world. In Matthew 21:16, perfect is the innocent perfected praise out of
the mouth of babes. In Hebrews 13:21, perfect is the ability to work out God's
will in every good work. In 1 Peter 5:10, perfect is the glow after successfully coming
through the fires of suffering. In Luke 6:40, perfect is the ability to lead the blind by
first following the Lord. In Mark 1:19, perfect is the word for "mending" as in
repairing broken fish nets; to put in order, to clean; to make the nets ready for another
nights fishing (Reinecker, p.89). In Galatians 6:1, the word katartizo means "restore"
as in surgically setting a disjointed bone (Ibid. p.518); restoring that which is out of
joint. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, to be "perfectly joined together" means reunited in mind
and sentiment, thus bringing schisms and ruptures into reconciling.
made complete" (in KJV, "perfection"). This "made complete" or "perfection"
comes from the Greek word katartisis. In F.Rienecker & C. Rogers' Linguistic Key to
the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), it defines katartisis
as: "perfecting, fitting together. It is used in the sense of setting bones or reconciling
parties and refers here to the growth in holiness (Plummer)." So it is the process of
being perfected. In Hebrew 11:3 perfect is that "framed" with wisdom, as with God
making the world. In Matthew 21:16, perfect is the innocent perfected praise out of
the mouth of babes. In Hebrews 13:21, perfect is the ability to work out God's
will in every good work. In 1 Peter 5:10, perfect is the glow after successfully coming
through the fires of suffering. In Luke 6:40, perfect is the ability to lead the blind by
first following the Lord. In Mark 1:19, perfect is the word for "mending" as in
repairing broken fish nets; to put in order, to clean; to make the nets ready for another
nights fishing (Reinecker, p.89). In Galatians 6:1, the word katartizo means "restore"
as in surgically setting a disjointed bone (Ibid. p.518); restoring that which is out of
joint. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, to be "perfectly joined together" means reunited in mind
and sentiment, thus bringing schisms and ruptures into reconciling.
Adapt, adjust, fit; it is all there, made possible by Christ. No wonder that the context
of Hebrew 12:23 is exalting the kingdom of God, for "the spirits of just men made
perfect." A bumper sticker read: "The next time you think you're perfect, try walking
on water." Although we cannot be flawless like Jesus (or miraculous), that is not the
bible sense anyway. The scripture meaning is that followers can be counted to "be ye
perfect" (Matthew 5:48) by doing "all things whatsoever" (Matthew 28:20) was
commanded by Jesus.
of Hebrew 12:23 is exalting the kingdom of God, for "the spirits of just men made
perfect." A bumper sticker read: "The next time you think you're perfect, try walking
on water." Although we cannot be flawless like Jesus (or miraculous), that is not the
bible sense anyway. The scripture meaning is that followers can be counted to "be ye
perfect" (Matthew 5:48) by doing "all things whatsoever" (Matthew 28:20) was
commanded by Jesus.
Man is mortal and is not God although made in the image of God. Therefore man can
be counted perfect only by God, in the mortal sense of being fully obedient, Roman
8:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; James 1:4.
be counted perfect only by God, in the mortal sense of being fully obedient, Roman
8:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; James 1:4.
God alone is immortally perfect, who makes no mistakes, but is "even from
everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:17).
everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:17).
Copyright © 2005 Gratz Brown Policy
| In secular terms, "perfect" brings imaginations of socialism/utopia, or fears of supremacy/tyranny. That is not the subject here. This lesson on "perfect" is not secular, psychological, but rather spiritual, scriptural. Furthermore, those who presume to reject being perfected by God are those who need to hear and learn. |
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Help Your Self article #15