In Matthew 5:48, Jesus tells his followers, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This verse comes at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he challenges his followers to live according to a higher standard of righteousness. But what does it mean to “be perfect” and why does Jesus call us to strive for perfection like God?
First, we must understand that “perfect” here does not mean “flawless” or “sinless.” Only God is free from all defects and imperfections. The Greek word translated “perfect” is teleios, which means “complete, mature, fully developed.” When Jesus calls us to perfection, he is calling us to spiritual maturity and completeness in our Christian walk.
To be “perfect” means to fully live out our new identity in Christ. As Christians, we have been sanctified and made righteous by Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). However, we have not yet reached complete holiness and maturity in our spiritual life. Being perfect means growing in Christlikeness so that our inner selves and outward actions align with who we are in Christ (James 1:4, 2 Peter 1:5-8). It means being wholly devoted to God in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Jesus is the embodiment of spiritual perfection. He modeled complete obedience to the Father and perfect love for God and neighbor (John 5:19, 15:13). As we look to Christ and follow his teachings, we grow to be more like him. Our goal is to display the spiritual maturity and godly character of Jesus himself (Ephesians 4:13).
However, we must remember that spiritual perfection is only possible through God’s grace and strength at work within us. On our own, we will fail and fall short of God’s high calling. But through Christ, we have everything we need to progress toward maturity in him (2 Peter 1:3-4). Our effort is required, but godly perfection is ultimately a work of the Holy Spirit transforming us into Christ’s image (Galatians 5:22-23).
As we grow to be more like Christ, we will exhibit the fruit of perfect love. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). And 1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” To be perfect is to completely and sincerely love as God loves. It means loving friends and enemies, having compassion for the hurting, and serving the vulnerable. Jesus set the example by loving those society rejected (Luke 7:36-50).
Finally, the call to perfection is an invitation to wholehearted devotion. We are to love and serve God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Half-hearted obedience is not enough. God wants true followers, not fans or admirers (Luke 9:62). Being perfect before God is giving 100% of ourselves to him and living solely to bring him glory through our lives.
In summary, being perfect as God is perfect means pursuing maturity and completeness in our Christian walk. It is striving to fully align our inward motives and outward actions with Christ’s character through the Spirit’s help. It is exhibiting flawless love for others as we are loved by God. And it is cultivating wholehearted devotion to God alone. Though we stumble, the call to perfection beckons us onward in our journey toward Chrislikeness.
1. Being perfect means spiritually mature and complete in Christ
To fully unpack what it means to be perfect, we first need to understand it does not imply sinlessness or moral flawlessness. Jesus is the only one who has ever lived a sinlessly perfect life (Hebrews 4:15). For us, being perfect means spiritual maturity and completeness as disciples of Christ. It is an outward expression of our inward transformation in Christ.
When Scripture speaks of perfection, it refers to being fully developed in godly character and good works. James 1:4 says perseverance through trials will make us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” And the goal Paul describes for the church is attaining to “mature manhood” and the “fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). As we grow in our faith, we progress toward wholeness and maturity in Christ.
Perfection means living fully aligned with who we are as new creations in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Our old sinful self has been crucified with Christ, and we have been made righteous sons and daughters of God (Romans 6:6, 1 John 3:1). Being perfect is living out this new righteous identity.
It is difficult to be perfect because our sinful flesh still wars against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). We fail daily to live up to who we are in Christ. But by God’s grace and power, we can increasingly reflect Christ’s character in how we think, speak, and act. Though not yet made perfect, we press on toward perfection by cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work.
So being perfect does not mean attaining flawless moral perfection. It means maturity and completeness as followers of Christ. It is living fully into our righteous standing before God as his beloved children.
2. Being perfect means becoming like Christ
To be perfect, we must seek to increasingly model Jesus Christ himself. He embodies spiritual perfection and mature godliness. As 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Christ is the supreme example of what human obedience to God should look like.
Jesus modeled complete obedience to God the Father. He said, “I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8:29). Even facing the cross, Jesus submitted, saying, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Though fully God, Jesus laid aside his rights and humbled himself as a servant (Philippians 2:5-8). His whole life was marked by perfect alignment of his will with the Father’s will.
Jesus also modeled perfect love. He freely forgave sinners, had compassion for outcasts, and valued people over manmade rules (Matthew 9:10-13). He sacrificially served those in need (John 13:1-17) and willingly laid down his life for us (Romans 5:8). His love reflected the Father’s heart, as he cared for all who came to him (Luke 15:20).
As we look intently at Jesus, allowing his teachings and example to permeate our hearts, we are transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” Being perfect means becoming like Christ in character and conduct.
Of course, we cannot achieve this in our own power. We need the Holy Spirit to produce his fruit in us – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As we yield to the Spirit, we grow in conformity to Christ and live out godly perfection in increasing measure.
3. Being perfect means living in flawless love
A central aspect of godly perfection is learning to love as God loves. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied that we are to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). As the beloved apostle John wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God… Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
To be perfect is to love both friends and enemies. Jesus commanded his followers, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). While still on the cross, Jesus prayed for God to forgive those crucifying him (Luke 23:34). Stephen exemplified this by praying for his killers as he was martyred (Acts 7:60). God’s love extends to all people, regardless of whether or not they deserve it.
Being perfect means having self-sacrificial concern for others’ wellbeing. 1 John 3:16-17 says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” Love requires tangible actions to meet others’ needs.
It also means showing mercy. Just as God does not give us what we deserve for our sins, we are to reflect his grace and compassion to those who wrong us. Jesus told a parable equating forgiveness of debt with forgiveness of sins (Matthew 18:23-35). If God has had mercy on us, how much more should we extend mercy to others (Matthew 18:33).
In summary, being perfect means loving others to the same degree and with the same purity that God loves us. This kind of agape love only comes from God working within us (1 John 4:19). As we walk closely with Jesus, yielding to the Holy Spirit, we grow in perfect love.
4. Being perfect requires wholehearted devotion to God
In calling his followers to perfection, Jesus was calling them to single-minded devotion to God above all else. Later in Matthew 6:24, Jesus said “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money.” God wants worship of the heart, not merely external religious observance (John 4:24). To be perfect is to love and serve God with your entire being.
The most important command, according to Jesus, is to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Loving God with our whole hearts means holding nothing back from him. It requires undivided loyal to him above all rivals for our affection.
Wholehearted devotion is exactly how Jesus loved the Father. Despite temptations, hardships, and persecution, Jesus delighted to do the Father’s will (John 4:34). Even in his darkest hour, his commitment was “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Following Jesus means loving God with the same wholehearted devotion.
God also wants followers, not fans. Being perfect means having an unwavering commitment to fully obey God’s word. After Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell his possessions, the man went away sad (Luke 18:18-23). His love for wealth kept him from total surrender. To be perfect, Jesus must have first place in our hearts above all else (Luke 14:25-33).
Wholehearted devotion admits no half measures. Revelation 3:15-16 warns against being lukewarm in your faith. And Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). God wants worshipers who serve him with consistency, passion and lifelong commitment. Settling for less falls short of perfection.
In summary, the call to perfection is a call to single-minded devotion to God and unwavering obedience to his will. It means loving and serving God with our entire being. He wants our whole hearts, not divided hearts. This wholehearted love for God should be the driving motivation in all we do.
5. Being perfect requires dependence on God’s grace
While God commands perfection, Scripture makes it clear that perfection is only attainable through God’s empowering grace at work within us. We cannot achieve perfection in our own strength. It is only possible through the Spirit working in and through us.
No matter how hard we try, we will fail to meet God’s perfect standard in our own effort. Paul laments in Romans 7:14-20 that despite his best intentions, he falls short of righteousness. Our sinful flesh wars against complete obedience to God. We are unable to be righteous apart from Christ’s righteousness credited to us (Philippians 3:9).
Thankfully, God provides everything we need to make progress toward perfection. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” And Philippians 2:13 explains, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God gives us the will and power to become spiritually mature and complete in Christ.
We grow toward perfection not by gritting our teeth and trying harder. Rather, our efforts must focus on walking closely with Christ and submitting to the Holy Spirit each day. Isaiah 26:12 says, “O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.” As we yield control to him, he transforms us increasingly into his likeness.
While diligent effort is required, godly perfection is ultimately a work of God’s grace, not human works. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Perfection is his work in us bringing glory to himself. Our humble cooperation positions us to experience his perfecting grace.
6. Though not perfect, with God’s help we can grow toward perfection
Since spiritual perfection this side of eternity remains an ongoing process, we must not become discouraged by failure. When we stumble, we can get up again and continue progressing by God’s grace. While not perfect, we are being perfected through Christ.
The Christian life is a lifelong journey of growth toward maturity. No matter how long we’ve followed Jesus, there is always room for improvement. As Paul said in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own.” Sanctification requires perseverance and patience.
When we sin or stumble, it is not cause to give up in despair. Rather, as 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Through Christ, we have an advocate who covers our shortcomings and helps us press on (1 John 2:1).
We must remember that imperfect efforts with right motives please God. In the parable of the talents, the master commended the two servants who doubled their money, though both still had less than the master (Matthew 25:14-23). God sees sincere faithfulness, even amid imperfect results. Our progress, not perfection, brings joy to God’s heart.
Though we have not yet reached the goal, God is pleased when we aim for the goal. Paul testified in Acts 24:16, “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Even if we stumble, intentionally striving for perfection pleases God. He is for us and will help us reach the goal.
In summary, do not lose heart because you have not yet attained perfect Christlikeness. Keep pressing on. When we stumble, repent and rely on God’s grace to help us get back on the path toward perfection. Our progress brings joy to God’s heart.
7. One day by God’s grace his children will be made perfect in Christ
While on earth we strive toward spiritual maturity, Scripture gives the sure hope that one day God will complete his perfect work in us. By his grace, he will glorify us so that we sinlessly reflect his glory and goodness for eternity.
Philippians 1:6 promises, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God always finishes what he starts. The perfection he has called us to will one day be fulfilled as we are finally made like Christ (1 John 3:2).
At Christ’s second coming, he will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). We will be raised imperishable and clothed with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:52-54). Sin, suffering and death will be no more in the new creation.
Until that day, may we keep pursuing spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. By his grace and power, let us become increasingly conformed to his image and example. And may his sustaining grace compel us to love God and others with perfect sincerity.
The call to perfection is a lofty one. Yet the reward of one day seeing Jesus and being made like him gives us hope and motivation to press on toward perfection. Through it all, God receives the glory as he transforms us by his Spirit into the image of Christ.
