Born Again: Another Look

Christian Perfection

Up until now we have looked at the idea of perfection partially, however now let us turn our full attention to the subject. Many Christians get scared of the word perfection. It seems like something that is way afar off. It feels like some impossible, intangible essence of being that only exists in our imagination.

Once when I was in college the subject of my first class in the morning turned to perfection. After having prayer and devotion, our professor took the opportunity to ask whether we thought it was possible to be perfect or not. I was surprised at all the different views that were expressed in the normally somewhat unresponsive group of students. While there were many people who had something to say, there were a few statements that stuck out in my mind. One particular person began to state his position by saying, “I believe perfection is a good goal to reach for. I think God wants us to obey his commandments as much as possible and do the right thing. But I don't know if there is anyone in real life who is actually perfect though. I mean, it's a good idea and all, but we probably wont ever get there.” He spoke as a sincere, but honest guy who wanted to face reality. Another outspoken girl was just as candid, “I don't even see how that's possible. I mean, sin is like all around us. That is just way too much to think you can be perfect. How could that even be possible? There's just no way.” A different young woman then took this chance to share her thoughts, “I think God wants us to be perfect. I think it is in the Bible. I don't think there is any excuse for sin, and Christ lived without sinning and He is our example.” Still unconvinced, the previous girl responded by saying, “What are you guys even talking about? I mean there is just no way with all the sin around us that we would not do it ever.” Altogether, it was a very interesting conversation, and one that our class even returned to at later points down the road when there was some time for extra discussion. It demonstrated a lot of the views many Christians have today about the idea of perfection.

In order to make a decision about whether it is possible to be perfect or not, we must first make a clear definition of what perfection actually is. Does perfection mean that you are incapable of sin? Does it mean that you no longer commit any sins? Does it deal with only your actions, or does it also speak of your very thoughts and motives? It is common for Christians to put perfection as something so far off that just to think that it is possible appears to be a ridiculous proposition, or at the very least a useless and unrealistic goal. These people do well in recognizing the fact that in our own strength we cannot hope to defeat sin. As long as we have sinful flesh, the law of sin and death in us will prove to be a foe we cannot utterly destroy by ourselves. However, does this then mean that it is impossible for the Christian to be perfect until we get to heaven?

In order to answer this question, let us put aside for now any meaning we may attach to the word perfection, and consider the following definition:

Christian perfection is for the old man to be dead continually, and for Christ to be in complete control of the new man at all times.

Does this sound like something that is impossible to do, something that cannot be achieved? When we sin, it is the old man rearing his ugly head again in our lives, but when we conquer sin it is because Christ is the one fighting the battle. Does it seem like a far-fetched idea to think that it is possible to then keep this old man under, and to give Christ unceasing control of our life? If this were to happen, if Christ were to have full and unceasing control of the mind and will, without a doubt we would be on our way to perfection. However if this was the case would it be our own perfection? Not at all. Could we go around boasting that it is our perfection, or that we have earned it? No, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13. Our righteousness is from Christ, “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:9. It is all from Christ; God gives us this victory through His Son. This is why the gift of the new man is the gift of perfection. Perfection is not something that we earn, but something that is given to us in Christ. It behooves us to take an even closer look at what this means.

There are three aspects to perfection; justification, sanctification, and glorification. All three of these are gifts from God, freely given to those who accept the call to be born again. Christ is the one who is our justification, sanctification, and glorification. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” 1 Cor. 1:30. Here Paul shows that it is Christ who is our righteousness, which is justification; it is Christ who is our sanctification; it is Christ who is our redemption, or glorification.

Justification is our justification for life. The law of God demands that the penalty for sin is death. (Romans 6:23, Ezek. 18:20) If this is the penalty, that means in order to justify the existence of any life that has sinned this penalty must be paid. Unfortunately, if we were to pay this penalty ourselves we would not be alive, nor would we ever taste life again. However, by the grace of God, Jesus came and paid this penalty for us. The result is that there is now justification to allow our lives to continue, because all of our sins - past, present and future, are paid for in Christ's death. This justification is imputed, or given to us once we are born again. This first part of perfection is a complete gift from Christ, and because Christ is the one who has paid our penalty for us, Christ is our justification.

Sanctification is the process by which God sets us apart, and works in us to do His will. The term sanctification denotes complete consecration; it involves our whole mind, spirit, and body. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Sanctification is God's way of setting aside His followers for a special purpose. Those who are being sanctified are learning the character of Christ, and they are learning to change their characters to become more and more like His. As with justification, sanctification is a complete gift from Christ. God is the one who is doing it. He is the one who sets us apart and preserves us. In the previous text just quoted, the very next thing Paul says is “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24. The process of sanctification is wholly a gift from God, and He does it for us once we believe and are born again. God promises He will continue working in us to fight our battles until the end. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Phil. 1:6. Thus sanctification, the second part of perfection, is gift from Christ; verily it is the gift of Christ to live in us and to work through us.

Lastly, glorification is the third aspect of perfection. This describes a time in the future when our mortal bodies will become immortal at the second coming of Christ, “for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:53. This is when God does away with the law of sin and death and our sinful flesh completely. This is a gift that we can claim through Christ in faith. Even though glorification does not occur now, but rather occurs in the future, we must still remember that Christ has freed us from the power of the law of sin and death right now (Rom. 8:2.) So even though we are not glorified with new bodies at this moment, that does not provide a reason to say we cannot help but to sin. Sin has no dominion over us because in Christ the law of sin and death has no power over us at all. Thus finally, glorification is also, along with justification and sanctification, a free gift given to those who are born again.

There it is. That is Christian perfection. It is not our own, for it is all given to us by Christ, and we have done nothing to earn it. Our own righteousness doesn't matter, because it will not do anything for us. It is only the righteousness of Christ. It is right that Christ is aptly named, “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6. Christ is our righteousness; Christ is our perfection. He is our justification, He is our sanctification, and He is our glorification. It is all through Him and not at all by us. We have nothing to boast about, nothing to lord over others. It is nothing that we have done of our own selves, and it is not as if anyone else cannot not obtain it in the exact same way that we obtained it. It is Christ who leads us to repent; “the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” Romans 2:4. Christ is the one “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24. Christ is the “author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2. Christ is the one who will “descend from heaven with a shout,” raising the dead in Christ and translating those who remain to give them both the gift of a new body that is free from the taint of sin. Surely it is no understatement to say that “every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above.” James 1:17. Justification, sanctification, and glorification are free gifts from Christ above. It is God who gives the believer the gift of the perfection, and the gift of perfection is the gift of Christ. Christian perfection, which is to keep the old man dead and to allow God to have full reign of our lives, is a real, present-life possibility that God has promised to do for those who believe and are born again.