Nobody is perfect.  People use this phrase now’a’days about as much as table salt, butter, and essential oils.  You are feeling guilty about your apathy as a Christian?  No worries.  There is always someone handy to reassure you with the words, “No one is perfect.”  At the thought of these words, the guilt slips away and so does any hope of real reformation.  I believe the biblical concept of perfection has somehow become clouded to the point of hindering the gospel, hindering personal growth in the body of Jesus Christ, emboldening baptized believers to be comfortable with mediocrity.

Sinless Perfection 

I know what you are thinking.  This punk!  Aaron thinks he is better than everybody else.  He thinks he is perfect, and everyone else is swine.  I am not saying I am sinless perfect.  That is the very problem.  So many seem to be of the mind that there is only one nuance to the word perfect and that is sinless perfection.  Of course no one, save Jesus Christ, is sinless perfect (Rom. 3:23).  However, sinless perfection is not the meaning intended by Jesus when He commanded, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor,” (Matt. 19:21).  Neither is sinless perfection what James had in mind when he wrote, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing,” (1:4).  Jesus and James had something entirely different in mind-

“Maturity”

James is explaining that maturity is very real and possible for the Christian.  He goes on to talk about the tongue in James 3:2 saying, “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”  If sinless perfection is the gist, then James is saying that no one can control his tongue.  On the contrary, if James has in mind the concept of maturity, then he is really just describing men who don’t control their tongue as being immature and lacking necessary virtue.  The majority of the time in the New Testament when the word perfect is used to describe the Christian or the aim of Christianity, the meaning is that of maturity (i.e.- fullness or completeness) and not sinless perfection.  I believe this simple misunderstanding is a contributing factor to the apathy of many Christian lives.

Becoming Hungry for Growth

In missing the biblical concept of perfection we become comfortable with mediocrity in our own lives and others.  We know we could do better and should do better but…nobody is perfect…  I know I should make it a daily habit to read and meditate on the Bible but…nobody is perfect.  Those in positions of influence attempt to make the repentant sinner feel slightly less miserable with the reminder that no one is perfect.  What are we really telling ourselves and others?  We are telling the conscience that God gave us, “I know you are alerting me with flashing lights and obnoxious sirens, but it’s okay because I’m really not worse than anyone else out there.”  This is a far cry from the approach Paul took, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,” (1 Cor. 9:27).  Paul had purpose.  He had discipline.  He knew that God had called Him to be a perfect (mature) Christian, and to do that he had to consciously subject himself to the endless, painful cycle of growth that starts every morning afresh.  He understood the attitude that Jesus called for all His disciples to embrace in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” (Matt. 5:6).  Jesus is describing a man who intensely craves to be justified and made righteous by God that he will do whatever is required to get there.  This man’s tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from dryness, his lips are cracked and bleeding, but instead of water he wants to be made holy.  This man is convicted when he hears the gospel preached in all its purity.  This man goes to his brother in Christ and says, “Help me! I’ve been trying to put off these immature habits on my own for years and it hasn’t worked.  I owe it God, my family, and everyone I come in contact with to be a mature Christian by now.  Help me!”  His brother doesn’t lessen the guilt by saying, “It’s okay, nobody is perfect.  Be warmed and filled.”  No!  His brother expresses joy for repentance, affirms the desire to grow, and works diligently to assist in this effort.  In the end the man asking for help exercises intense discipline, forms habit from bringing his body under subjection, and thus starts a new life of continual growth (maturity).

How to Get Over the Hump

Over the past two years especially, individuals have come to me and expressed some variation of the following: “I haven’t been the Christian I should be.  I don’t study my Bible.  I don’t really know where to start.  I want to do better.  Do you have any suggestions?”  I don’t attempt to lessen their guilt by comparing them to everyone else and saying, “Nobody is perfect.”  Paul told the Corinthians to avoid comparing themselves to other people in 2 Cor. 10:12.  That is because “other people” is an imperfect standard.  Comparing yourself to a loser will make you content being a loser.  This person who comes asking for help needs to know they are at a good position in that very moment.  Becoming self aware of immaturity is a vital stage in the growth process, a stage many never experience unfortunately.  After some reassurance, this person needs to know the secret to mature growth.  The secret is…there is no quick and easy fix.  As was communicated in the previous section, maturity is a slow, disciplined, painful and never-ending process.  If you are this person, realize you will have to cut things out of your life.  Those hours during the week wasted on Facebook, Instagram, sitcoms, etc., are going to have to be replaced momentarily with Bible reading, Bible study, spiritual conversation, meditation, religious podcasts, and fill in the blank.  One thing you will have to do regardless is read.  Many people have an aversion to reading.  I didn’t like to read when I was in high school and even the first couple years of college.  You would never find me reading for pleasure.  However, I made myself read the Bible and books my father had recommended, because I knew I needed such discipline.  If you don’t like reading, then listen to the Bible or recommended books on the Bible.  It may not be fun at first, but after months of spending time in God’s word you will find a sense of rhythm and calm in those moments.  As you learn from reading you will become aware of those areas in your life that are lacking and need reform.  Hopefully, you choose reform, and that is when maturity takes root.  

Conclusion

Don’t be satisfied with mediocrity.  I hope this Five Minute Bible Study made you uncomfortable.  Looking back, it is those moments in my life where I was uncomfortable that real, meaningful growth took place.  I hope this pushes you over the edge to reach out for help.  I pray that you crave righteousness.  May God defeat you in your weaknesses and bless you with growth to perfection.

[Click Here to start the Five Minute Bible Study series How to Understand the Bible.]