A Role to Play
Perfectionists have one thing right: we are supposed to pursue perfection. They go about it completely wrong, though, by relying on their own efforts to achieve the objective.
Those with a good enough mindset have it partially right too in that the goal is impossible. Because our efforts don’t get us to the objective, we sometimes just don’t bother to try very hard. The “Why bother?” approach doesn’t match up with God’s desires for us either.
Fortunately, scripture clearly tells us what our role is in this process, and it involves the activity of the Holy Spirit working in our lives to perfect us. The Bible tells us that being perfected involves:
- Endurance/Patience (James 1:4) – Never give up.
- Love (Colossians 3:14) – Embrace unity.
- Holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1) – Get rid of what distracts us from God.
- Praise (Psalm 8:2) – Silence your enemies.
- Faith (1 Thessalonians 3:10) – Grow toward perfection.
- Good Works (Hebrews 13:21) – Use what God has given you.
- Unity (John 17:23) – Be stronger in unity.
- Strength/Power (2 Corinthians 12:9) Be strong in weakness.
If we focus on these elements, which God enables in us through His grace, we can know we are moving toward perfection. They provide a gauge by which we can assess our progress. The specifics of how these are carried out through the work we do (e.g., ministry, hobbies, interests, etc.) are unique to the individual. There is no comparison or competition with regard to sanctification.
Struggling with Perfection
The struggle with perfection comes because we live in an imperfect world, we are imperfect people, and perfection really is impossible for us. That doesn’t mean we should give up on the goal of perfection, though. We can’t go to the other extreme and put forth little to no effort just because we know perfection isn’t possible in our own efforts.
A huge part of my spiritual growth has been the renewal of my mind in the area of perfectionism. I’ve learned not to let perfectionism rule and reign and instead to allow a perfect God to rule and reign in my heart and mind.
My own efforts to be perfect lead to a muddy and miry pit. My imperfection, though, allows God to be more fully present in my life as I admit my need for Him to perfect me.
God wants us to pursue perfection but to do so by depending on Him. He’s given us a way to accomplish perfection, both now and through progressive sanctification. That way is Jesus.
bettydraper1947
Wow Kari you put a lot into this post, thank you. I believe with all my heart if I pursue Him who is perfect in all ways my sanctification will progress. We cannot become perfect through our own efforts. One must take what life hands us and shift it through His hands for it to be used for His glory and our maturing. Our part is II Peter 1:5-8 where it talks about adding these things to our faith, diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
Kari Scare
God has a lot to say on the topic, and I am so thankful for His Word. The scripture in 2 Peter works well for this too. Great point!
rickd3352013
Good, solid post, all excellent points – and I know of no serious follower of Christ that wants to be known as lukewarm. 🙂
Kari Scare
Thanks, Rick. Me either…
cycleguy
When it comes to "life" i am not a perfectionist. I have the "close enough" syndrome. 🙂 When it comes to my walk with Jesus, I am trying to be His man. That means I am going to stumble, fail, fall, but get back up with His help. I am one who doesn't believe we can reach perfection here on earth. But we can strive to be more like Jesus.
Kari Scare
I like that you separated the two, life and pursuing God. In life, we certainly can't be perfectionists. While pursuing God, we are pursuing perfection since He is perfect. Knowing that God sees me as perfect through Jesus gives me confidence and motivation to pursue the perfection that will culminate when we reach Heaven. Striving to be more like Jesus is the path.
Mary
Thanks Kari for this thoughtful and thought provoking series. I am sure there are times you would love to correct my grammar and commas!
I know I am imperfect and sometimes knowing that and wanting to wait till all if perfect holds me back. Recently a blog writer quoted a Proverbs verse that I did not write down which tells us not to wait till all is perfect before moving ahead. So I try each day to grow in Christ and hopefully that will move me toward the day when He will make all things perfect, including me. Until then I hope I am a vessel that is willing to be molded and changed and made into what HE wants me to be. I like cycleguy often stumble and fall, but God is gracious in picking me up and helping me learn from experience and move forward. This certainly fits with your blog name, as we struggle to victory in this area.
Kari Scare
Aren't you glad scripture has so much to say on this topic? Because I struggle so much with perfectionism, I am very thankful for the guidance. Actually, I can tune out wrong grammar and spelling now when I am reading for meaning. I just turn off the editor (okay, so it's never completely off) and read for meaning. We all stumble and fall, but part of the perfecting process is struggling through to victory. So glad Jesus made that path possible!
Mark Allman
In our efforts to "be better" we should concentrate on pursuing God and in that pursuit we end up pursuing the rights things in terms of pursuing perfection. I think our ultimate goal is to pursue Him to be like Him.
Kari Scare
In becoming more like Him, we are pursuing perfection. Definitely the goal that I want to keep constantly in front of me. Well said, friend!
Caleb Suko
Besides God's Word there are two major aspects of my life that constantly push me towards Jesus. The first is my wife and the second are my children. I believe our closest relationships are specifically designed by God to help us grow in the sanctification process.
Kari Scare
Terrific point! Both have played a huge role in my walk toward perfection. Completley agree!
TC Avey
This is an area God's been working on in me for awhile. It's so ingrained in me that for every advancement I make in shaking of these chains, there's a million more to go (a millions an exaggeration, but you get my point- wink).
One thing that's been so liberating to me is something you mentioned, how my weaknesses allow God to shine and work in me. I've found that my "strengths" aren't really strengths at all. They keep me from God. What I consider strengths (hard working, diligent, detail orientated, AKA perfectionism) really are idols that I put too much confidence in. And the things I considered weaknesses (time management, anxiety, people pleasing) actually brought me closer to God because I realized I needed Him to help me overcome.
So I guess what I'm saying is that my "strengths" are actually my weaknesses. When I began seeing them in that light, it became easier for me to hand them over to God and allow Him to be Lord over my daily tasks and schedule.
I don't want anything to get in my way of serving God.
Is this comment clear as mud? Sorry for the ramble, it makes sense in my head.
Kari Scare
Makes sense out of your head too, actually. This overcoming of perfectionism has been a gradual process over many years for me. In my memory, I see it as being the past 13 years; though, I am sure the process was happening before that while I was ignorant to even needing it to happen. I feel released from the stronghold but also see the potential for picking perfectionism up again quite easily if I don't stay diligent in keeping it at bay. I agree that strengths are weaknesses and weaknesses are strengths. As we learn to focus on weaknesses with the goal of God being glorified and His power being apparent in them, they actually become our strengths simply because it's all Him. As this happens more and more, I find that He uses our strengths to do amazing things; but, that only happened for me after I gave Him my weaknesses. Actually, I had my writing ability (which, on good days, I feel is a strength) taken away for a season. I remember the horrible feeling quite distinctly. From that point on, I started growing in the realization that God needed to be glorified in all areas and that I needed to give Him my strengths and weaknesses. Anyway, now I'm not so sure I am making any sense. Makes in my head 🙂
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Loren Pinilis
I think progressive sanctification exists in my life in a lot of ways. God is always working on us. I think there's the spiritual disciplines such as bible study and prayer. I think there's also God using our trials and struggles to teach us. Then there's the ability to serve him and grow that way – not to mention the growth that happens as part of a local body and in fellowship with other believers. In fact, God uses everything to conform us more and more to his image.
Kari Scare
I completely agree, Loren. I think every aspect of our lives can be used by God to perfect us. He's ready and willing. Are we?