I recall, during a Sabbath School Teacher’s meeting, when perfection was being discussed (approx. 1973). The text of reference was Matthew 5:43-48, “Be ye also perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Some asserted this meant God’s sphere and or man’s sphere of perfection. I have since studied Augustine, Calvin, Puritan, and Wesley theology on perfection. After 40+ years of pastoral ministry, I am confident that most folk are anxious trying to reach perfection. Allow me to help. First, reread the entire context of the passage. You should notice that “love your neighbor” includes loving your enemies. Does this suggest true perfection is best measured by how we relate to others, including those who spitefully use us. This praxis seems to suggest that being like God or perfect is about altruism and that perfection is more about productive and just interactions more than theological abstractions or religious liturgies. In other words, be perfect and like God by loving others regardless of their difference. Help me, Lord, to be what I am not , but need to be in order to be productive and PERFECT!

What do think about perfection? Does this blog resonate with or irritate you?