Being perfect and achieving perfection is defined differently by GOD. We think perfect and perfection means we either never made a mistake (sin) or that we will never make another mistake (sin). Not being able to attain perfection under those definitions would definitely be true and an impossibility to ever attain.
But GOD’s definition of being perfect is to be made whole and complete spiritually as opposed to being what HE calls “wanting” or lacking. People who are wanting and lacking are folks who are still walking in continued unrepentance and they are not willing to do what GOD says. They don’t have a willing heart or a willing mind to do what is just, right and good. They are not walking after the Spirit of GOD but after their flesh.
Even though we may continue to make mistakes and sin, when we confess and repent of those sins we get forgiveness just like Jesus says in the Lord’s Prayer. When we do this we are being obedient and willing because this is what GOD has commanded us to do when we sin. HE knew we would sin because of the weakness of our flesh, but HE designed a way (covenant) to restore us and keep us whole and complete in HIM and through HIM.
Here are some scriptures where GOD commands us to be perfect. In these HE also defines what it means to be perfect and come to perfection (unity in HIM).
Being perfect is being led by GOD and walking after HIS Holy Spirit by being faithfully obedient.
Genesis 17:1
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty GOD; WALK before ME, and BE thou PERFECT.”
Deuteronomy 18:13
“Thou shalt be PERFECT with the LORD thy GOD.”
Being perfect is having a perfect heart that is 100% willing to do the will of GOD. This is also reflected in loving GOD with all our heart, mind and strength.
1Kings 8:61
“Let your HEART therefore BE PERFECT with the LORD our GOD, TO WALK IN HIS STATUTES, and TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, as at this day.”
1Chronicles 28:9
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the GOD of thy father, and serve HIM with a PERFECT HEART and with a WILLING MIND: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek HIM, HE will be found of thee; but if thou forsake HIM, HE will cast thee off for ever.”
Being perfect is having a perfect heart that performs all of GOD’s will which is “a perfect way”, it’s a perfect upright path to walk in.
Psalms 101:2
“I will behave myself wisely in a PERFECT WAY. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a PERFECT HEART.”
Being perfect is being faithful.
Psalms 101:6
“Mine eyes shall be upon the FAITHFUL of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a PERFECT WAY, he shall serve me.”
Being perfect is to think and do like GOD does, it is to be a partaker of HIS divine nature (2Peter 1:3-4).
Matthew 5:48
“BE ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is PERFECT.”
Jesus was letting this man know how he was lacking and what he needed to do to be entire, whole, complete and not come up short or wanting. He told him how to become perfect in the will of GOD.
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be PERFECT, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
Luke 6:40
“The disciple is not above his Master:
but every one that is PERFECT shall be as his Master.”
This is the Lord Jesus Christ praying to GOD the FATHER and explaining a part of the process of perfection which involves the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which makes us one spiritually with GOD the FATHER and HIS Son Jesus Christ.
John 17:23
“I in them, and THOU in Me,
that they may be made PERFECT in ONE;
and that the world may know
that THOU hast sent Me,
and hast loved them,
as THOU hast loved Me.”
Being perfect is being transformed.
Being perfect is being renewed in our minds.
Being perfect is demonstrating GOD’s will by our thoughts, words and actions.
GOD’s will is good, acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect, will of GOD.”
Being perfect is being of one mind with GOD and one mind with each other (unity in the truth). GOD’s will is love which is peace and comfort. Romans 13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
2Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
The apostle Paul is encouraging born again believers that if they are lacking and not spiritually perfect then GOD will reveal it to them so they can correct it.
Philippians 3:15
“Let us therefore, as many as be PERFECT, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
2Timothy 3:17
“That the man of GOD may be PERFECT, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
When we cooperate with GOD keep GOD’s covenant and follow the instructions given to us by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer then GOD forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness and HE makes us perfect (one with HIM). (1 John 1:7, 9) (KJV1611)
Hebrews 13:21
“Make you PERFECT in every good work to do HIS will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in HIS sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
James 1:4
“But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be PERFECT
and entire, wanting nothing.”
Revelation 3:2
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works PERFECT before GOD.”
2Corinthians 7:1
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, PERFECTING holiness in the fear of GOD.”
This describes the work of perfection very well when it says, “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” which is our ultimate goal, even though we fail often; we don’t stay in sin, we reach forward. (Philippians 3:13-15)
Ephesians 4:12-13
“For the PERFECTING of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the UNITY of the faith, and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of GOD, unto a PERFECT man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”
Being perfect is also being a partaker of GOD’s divine nature because we are living in HIM and we are doing all of HIS will by keeping HIS covenant of salvation.
2Peter 1:3-8
“According as HIS divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The apostle Paul is saying that he had not yet apprehended eternal life but he continued to press toward that goal by being faithful and obedient (though he still made mistakes and sinned).
Philippians 3:13-15
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be PERFECT, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, GOD shall reveal even this unto you.”
1Corinthians 9:23-27
“And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”