[322 words]
If you are looking for a perfect or sinless man today, your search will be in vain. Jesus is the only perfect man that ever lived. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22). We understand that to be perfect means without fault, no defects or sin. We know we can never be perfect like that.
Being perfect also means exact or complete. That is a perfection that we are able to accomplish. We can and we should be complete in all of God’s will. This can only be accomplished by being in Christ. “You are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10). Our perfection is in Christ. In that relationship with Christ, we must stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).
The child of God is perfect in that he is thoroughly furnished or equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God makes us perfect. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete (perfect, KJV) in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
We should be sure we are in Christ, then go on to perfection (Acts 2:36-38, Hebrews 6:1). When we die in the Lord, we will attain true perfection in the full sense.
Charles Box
Walnut Street church of Christ
Greenville, AL