Imperfect Perfection

(Proverbs 11:5 KJV)  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

There is a spiritual condition that the OT calls “perfect” (blameless NASB) (8549).  There it is.  Deny it all you want.  You see it talked about again and again.  You can redefine it, water it down, and ignore it.  It still exists.

Part of our problem is in trying to be too perfect about what it means to be perfect.  If you look at this word’s definition it has the idea of being complete.  It is something, or someone, that has reached the goal for which it was created.  It has the idea of being complete.  It is not the flawless ideal of Plato.  It is the perfection of being suited for a task.  What do we mean when we say it is a perfect day for a picnic?  Does it mean that ant’s have ceased to exist?  Does it mean that the sun will not longer burn your skin?  Does it mean the wind will never blow your napkins all over the place?  Of course not.  That is not part of what makes it an ideal day. 

In the same way we can be “perfect” (KJV) or “blameless” (NASB).  We are in a condition which God can use.  The word is used to describe the lambs picked for sacrifice.  They were “without blemish,” or “without defect”.  Does this mean that there was not one hair longer than another?  Does it mean that there were no bacteria in its blood?  We could go on.  No, it means the the lamb met certain reachable standards.

We can be “blameless” before God.  Noah was.  Zacharias and Elizabeth passed the test.  The standard is reachable.  We will never be perfect in the sense of no flaws.  Nothing physical can be.  But we can be perfect for the use God has for us.

So?  Don’t get arrogant and puffed up.  Do get perfect.  Seek the way of living that can make you what God wants you to be.  Understand that it is the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace that is at work in you.  But tap the power and let the grace work.  I hope we all want to hear “Well done, though good and faithful servant.”