The Imperfect Perfect Man

Now here is a dilemma. We are to be perfect but also made aware that we cannot be perfect. How can we be perfect and imperfect? The word has more than one meaning, that's how. We cannot be perfect in the sense of being totally sinless (1 John 1:8,10), but we can be whole, mature, complete, which is another meaning of the word. This latter "perfect" comes by the process of growth. When Paul prayed for brethren to become perfect this is what he meant (Col. 4:12).

A challenge those of us who are Christians have is to go from spiritual infancy toward maturity. Being born again we grow to become more and more like our Savior. While we realize we shall never reach the height of sinless perfect that characterized the Lord, we can become complete and mature in Christ so that we can become as full grown (Heb. 5:14).

Often people will excuse their sins by saying, "I can't be perfect." True enough, if you are speaking of being sinless. But you can become a strong, mature Christian when you set you mind to it. It takes great effort, however.