Striving For Perfection

Believers usually strive for that which is good, but sadly very little. They seek and hope, believing that things might improve somewhat in one area or another during the course of a longer period of time, but hardly in all areas. This, when compared to the great and glorious promises of Scripture, is absolutely pathetic.

In a weak sort of way they strive for that which is good, but they are far, far away from striving for perfection—perfection in all areas concerning meekness, humility, truthfulness, thankfulness, wisdom, righteousness, submission, chastity, love, patience, etc. Romans 12:2 states the following: “That good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It is one thing that it is good, in contrast to being bad; it is quite another thing for it to be perfect! He who seeks shall find! If I strive for the good with all of my heart, I will find the good; if I strive for that which is perfect, I will find that which is perfect.

Why does a person not strive for perfection with the utmost zeal in all areas??? For the simple reason that he does not believe in the least that he can achieve it.

Who would make the effort to obtain something—even if it were ever so glorious—if he felt convinced that he would never obtain it? No one would do that.

Generally speaking, people believe all kinds of things, but what they believe in most is defeat! That is also something to believe in! And if people believe in a kind of victory, it is in a kind of approximate victory!

It is sort of taken for granted that no one can obtain perfection in this world. Where is that written? It states the exact opposite in my Bible. If there is something that people are generally convinced of, it is that everyone has their failings and that they must obviously keep on failing as long as they are in this corruptible body. My Bible states something totally different! In James 1:4 it is written, “That you may be perfect and flawless . . . .”1

Strive for perfection! Believe that you will obtain it, and you will obtain it. “All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23. All things are possible for God!