Is Perfection Real

I have recently finished Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis again. As I was reading it and studying some of the points Lewis makes about what it means to be a Christian there was one concept that he discusses from the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 that has made me stop and reflect. The idea is about perfection and if it is something we really seek after or if we as Christians today have deemed it impossible to achieve. One of the interesting points to me is about this idea is where it is found in scripture. The rest of the scripture addresses that we as Christians are to love our enemies.

“43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:43-48 (ESV)

This first verse is repeated from Leviticus 19:18 but Jesus expands and turns this command upside down or maybe it’s right side up. It’s easy for us to love those who we have things in common with. But we as Christians are called to do more than that. We as individuals represent Christ in all that we do. You might wonder what my point is; to be honest Christ was perfect, but He was not perfect because of anything He did he was perfect because He was living under the power and authority of His Father in heaven. As Christians today we often fail to understand that we have been given that same power and authority. We start our days out working under or own power and thinking that we are good people and that we have the right to do this or that. Thinking that our current standing with God has made us greater than those we are around every day; but to be honest we have no rights to think or feel that way. The truth is we have only received more of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus was made perfect through the power of the Holy Spirit. He became obedient to God’s will and followed after God’s plan and desires so that you and I would one day be able to be made perfect. The problem is it is a process for us; the flesh must die a little everyday and be replaced with power of the Holy Spirit. Perfection is possible but it is not something we can achieve on our own. It is something we should seek after in all that we do and say. The question is do we desire to be sons and daughters of a perfect God or are we content with the mediocre lives we live now. The simple truth is God desires for us to be made perfect your choice is are you willing to begin the journey? Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s word.