When it comes to studying the Bible, there are some things that people just don’t like to talk about. There are some subjects that people are almost afraid of. Probably one of the most common of these is the topic of perfection. Just the mere mention of the word can make people shudder. And if you look at most of the advice out there outside of a spiritual context, it says: “don’t be perfect.” “You don’t need to be perfect.” “You can’t be perfect!” Buddhism1, Psychology Today 2, Harvard University3, and many other4 self-help sources teach that even trying to be perfect is more harmful than helpful. For the most part, I would agree: this is really good advice. But does the same hold true in our spiritual life? It’s an important question, because the Bible has a great deal to say on the subject.

But even a quick search among religious sources shows that a number of Christians5 also hold this view6. And so in general, there is a lot of fear about perfection. There is a tendency to perfection anxiety. In the spiritual context, people often consciously or unconsciously come to one of the following conclusions: (a) it is not possible, or (b) it is possible, but they have to achieve it on their own by a strict observance of disciplined routines in their behavior and lifestyle. A common thought is that “I—must become good enough—to reach God’s standard.” No wonder there is fear. Unfortunately, there is much misinformation on the subject that is the cause of this fear.

What does the Bible really mean when it tells us to be perfect? Is it even possible, or is it some sort of utopian dream? Or, is God’s command to be perfect more like a moving target that was only intended for our encouragement and inspiration but never designed to be actually reached?

“When Paul wrote, ‘The very God of peace sanctify you wholly’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23), he did not exhort his brethren to aim at a standard which it was impossible for them to reach; he did not pray that they might have blessings which it was not the will of God to give.”7

“Our Saviour does not require impossibilities of any soul. He expects nothing of His disciples that He is not willing to give them grace and strength to perform. He would not call upon them to be perfect if He had not at His command every perfection of grace to bestow on the ones upon whom He would confer so high and holy a privilege.”8 Could it be that we will finally overcome our fear of being perfect when we recognize that the high standard that God has called us to reach is a tremendous honor and privilege?

“All heaven is interested in the restoration of the moral image of God in man. All heaven is working to this end. God and the holy angels have an intense desire that human beings shall reach the standard of perfection which Christ died to make it possible for them to reach.”9 So the conclusion is, perfection is possible—it is attainable. Why do we get so discouraged then?

What vs. how

Typically, there is a lot of time spent discussing the what: what perfection means, what is involved, and so on, and not enough time is spent discussing how it actually all works. This lack of understanding can result in a tendency to doubt. While we will spend some time clearing up misconceptions about the definitions, we’ll also spend time exploring how it actually works. And then—when we begin to understand how—impossible things may start to seem possible.

There are actually a lot of misunderstandings here, so let’s start with the basics. When we talk about perfection, what do we mean? A lot of people have the idea that they need to reach God’s perfect standard by exhibiting good behavior, and that by discipline and some help from God, they just might reach perfection one day, at the end of their lifetime. Is that what perfection is about—good behavior? In some circles, it is taught that perfection is about a reformation that we must make in our diet and standards of dress. When the Bible speaks of being perfect, is that what it’s talking about? Friends, if that’s our understanding of perfection, we have missed the picture entirely.

What is it about then? Some common definitions include righteousness, obedience, total victory over sin, sinlessness. Are these definitions correct? Yes of course, but it actually goes much deeper than that. Let’s take a look at victory over sin, for example, by reading from the book of James. We should notice that James is typically known for his emphasis on works over grace or faith, but look at what he says on how to achieve victory: “…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). In order to have victory, he’s saying we must resist, right? We just need to gather all our strength, and fight back. Or actually, have we missed a step? “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James 4:7, 8, emphasis added). So often we quote this verse, and yet we miss the first step: submitting to God. James is saying that the secret to victory is not in the resisting: it’s in the submission. To summarize, it’s not a about the external things. It’s about the heart work.

Where does perfection or even reformation actually begin? What is the first step that needs to be taken? “The first work of those who would reform is, to purify the imagination. If the mind is led out in a vicious direction, it must be restrained to dwell only upon pure and elevated subjects. When tempted to yield to a corrupt imagination, then flee to the throne of grace, and pray for strength from Heaven. In the strength of God the imagination can be disciplined to dwell upon things which are pure and heavenly.”10 [Emphasis added.]

Yes, perfection has a visible manifestation on the outside, but it never starts there. Any attempt at being righteous by making a change to our lifestyle, or even our external behavior, without coming from a change within the heart is an attempt at human works, and is considered as filthy rags, or pharisaism in the sight of God.

Do you remember Jesus’ account of the Pharisee and the publican? Why did He say that the publican was justified, and the Pharisee was not? What was the difference between the two, at a glance? The Pharisee focused almost entirely on the external things: what he did. The publican focused on the heart: “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

If the first step begins with the heart, then what about the last step? Is that about the external things? In Christ’s Object Lessons we read: “The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within.”11 From the first to the last, perfection is measured from within.

Does perfection have an outward manifestation? Yes, of course. If our heart is surrendered, our life will be changed. Does God have standards that He expects us to follow, including in areas of lifestyle? Yes, absolutely, but the process should never begin there. The behavior, the lifestyle, and all other outward things will always come from the outflowing of a heart that is fully dedicated to God, and enabled by the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit.

“Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and ‘God is love.’ . . . Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.”12

To summarize, what is perfection really about, in a word? Character. There will be people in heaven who didn’t have the complete understanding of how a Christian should dress, or what a healthy diet means, but they will be there because they had the character of Jesus. On the other hand, there will be individuals who followed the strictest standards of modesty in dress, who observed the healthiest diets possible, and yet will be lost—because they were unable to overcome deeper character issues.

Why is perfection about character? Doesn’t the external matter, too? Yes, but God wants more for us than that. We might look at the sixth commandment and feel good about ourselves knowing that we don’t kill. But God wants us to be in a place where we don’t have secret hatred or bitterness even towards our enemies. We might look at the seventh commandment and feel confident in our obedience to the seventh commandment, but God wants us not only to practice loyalty, but to purify our thoughts. We might look at the tenth commandment and feel satisfied after having overcome covetousness. But God wants us to be to be at a place where we reject materialism and would rather give to others in need than accumulate for ourselves. He doesn’t want us just to look like Christians: He wants us to be Christians.

There are actually four different meanings for the word, and we will review them in descending order.

4. Absolute perfection

What does it mean to be absolutely perfect? Do human beings qualify? No. To be absolutely perfect means not only to never sin, not only to never make mistakes, but also to never change one’s mind. In James 1:17 we read, “Every good gift . . . comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Have you noticed that nothing ever 'occurred' to God? There was never a moment when He said to Himself, “Hmmm, . . . I’ve never thought of that.”

What about the angels—do they qualify? The pen of Inspiration tells us that nearly one half of all angels sympathized with Satan, at one point.13 We know that only one third of the angels ultimately rebelled with him, and so we can conclude that some of the angels changed their minds, and this is acceptable. God allows for that, and it is not sin. But it is not absolute perfection. “Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden…”14 God is the only one who qualifies for absolute perfection.15 It never applies to us. We don’t have to worry about it.

3. A perfect nature

The next level of perfection is perfect nature. In order to understand this, it helps to first understand the fallenness of the nature we now have. In Romans, the apostle Paul describes a conflict between his decisions of the will, and his ability to perform them. “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:19. In other words, we have will (freedom of choice and thought), but not willpower (the ability to carry out the will). This is why we need the divine nature.

When God created Adam however, not only was his character perfect, but his nature was as well. He had within his nature the strength to resist temptation, without additional help from God.16 There were no fallen tendencies or inclinations. God does not create anything less than perfection.

If Adam had this, and the unfallen angels have it,17 when will we receive it? Is it possible to attain to here on earth? In the book Selected Messages we read: “Not a soul of you has holy flesh now. No human being on the earth has holy flesh. It is an impossibility.”18 So when do we receive it? “In a moment…at the last trumpet…this corruptible must put on incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:52, 53). It happens at the second coming of Christ, and is yet another type of perfection that we don’t have to worry about.

2. Perfect ________ ?

We will skip this level for now and come back to it shortly.

1. Perfect surrender

This is also known as character surrender, orbeing “perfect within your sphere”, or at every stage of your spiritual growth. So how can we actually be perfect at each stage? “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. If Christ lives in me, can He live anything other than a perfect life?

In Mark chapter 4, Jesus describes the growth of a cornstalk and compares it to the Christian experience. “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:26–28. Even though the baby corn plant is not mature, it is still perfect at each stage of its growth. What this really means is to be perfectly surrendered to God on all points that you know.

When you first come to Christ—do you know everything there is to know about following Him? No, and we can be so thankful He doesn’t tell us everything at once, as that would be overwhelming. But we are to be perfectly surrendered to Him in all that we know. So what if the all that you know is a very small all? What if all you know is “I’m a great sinner”, and “Jesus is a great Savior?” Well, if that’s all you know, and if you’re fully surrendered, then that is enough. You see, the real question Jesus asks us in the judgment is the same question He asked to Peter: “Do you love me with all your heart?”

There is yet another aspect to this definition of perfection, and that is perfect growth. If a Christian is a spiritual plant, he/she will grow. If a plant doesn’t grow, it is dead.The growth that we’re referring to here is always tied to knowledge. As the Christian learns more of God’s purposes, he will apply that knowledge in life. But one thing remains the same: there is always perfectly surrender.The circle of knowledge enlarges, and the way the life is lived changes in correlation to the knowledge, but the commitment remains the same: 100% surrender to God.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18. In scripture, the word light often refers to spiritual knowledge, and the word just is rendered as “righteous” in other translations.

The apostle Paul describes this experience as a continual journey: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after…reaching forth unto those things which are before…I press toward the mark” (Philippians 3:12­–14). The Spirit of Prophecy describes it as the “work of a lifetime.”19 “The plant must either grow or die. . . . Its growth is silent and imperceptible. . . . At every stage of development our life may be perfect;yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement.”20

2. Perfect character

Okay, going back now to look into this next level of perfection. It can be described as complete character maturity, or the top of “Peter’s Ladder” (2 Peter 1:5–7). The plant has grown up; it is “the full corn in the ear” and there is no more growth to be done. Growth of knowledge will continue, but the character will be complete—a perfect reflection of Jesus. “For the perfecting of the saints. . . . Till we all come . . . unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, 13).

The big question is, do I have to achieve this level of perfection in order to be saved? If sanctification is the work of a lifetime, and it will take me an entire lifetime to reach this, do I have to live my life to the end before I can be saved? What happens if I die before my time in some illness or accident, and stop halfway through the process? Am I lost?

In order to answer this question, we will consider one example that will make it perfectly clear: the thief on the cross. He was saved at the last minute. In fact, he was mocking Jesus with his companion thief just a few hours (or maybe even minutes) earlier. But he was saved. There are people who believe that God made an exception for him, but is that really the case? It is not consistent with God’s character to make arbitrary decisions or display favoritism.

If we look at Peter’s Ladder, we notice that the thief didn’t even make it past the first step. He had faith. There was no time to attain virtue, or knowledge. He didn’t know about baptism, tithing, or even the Holy Spirit. He simply had faith. If the thief could be saved at the last minute, then this tells us all we need to know about perfection and salvation. Definition one is all that’s required: perfect surrender. Sadly, so many Christians—Adventists included—think that they have to reach the top in order to be saved. No wonder there is fear.

If the first level of perfection is all that’s required for salvation, then why do we talk about the second level at all? Is it reachable here, in this life? Has anyone ever reached the top? We have the example of Enoch, who undoubtedly did. He became so close to God, that God could not bear to be apart from him. But we must notice that Enoch had 365 years of life, and his nature was a lot stronger than ours is. So is it possible for the rest of us to reach a 100% perfect character in this life?

The Bible tells us it is possible, for a special group of people known as the one-hundred and forty-four thousand. Outside of Enoch, the people in this number will be the first ones in history to have the spotless character of Christ’s righteousness, while living on earth. In Revelation 14:4 we read, “These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes . . . being the first-fruitsunto God and to the Lamb.” What does the term first-fruit mean? It means it is the fruit that came first. In other words, no other fruit before it was fully ripe. “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5). The word guile here means deception or hypocrisy. In other words, their lives are completely consistent with their professions.

“The godly character of this prophet [Enoch] represents the state of holiness which must be attained by those who shall be ‘redeemed from the earth’ (Revelation 14:3) at the time of Christ's second advent.”21 “I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.”22

In summary, perfection levels three and four do not apply to us in this life, and therefore we don’t have to worry about them. The second level, the perfect character of Jesus, is a much deeper topic which can be explored another time. For now, what we need to understand about the first level is how it happens.

How can we be considered perfect in the eyes of God? How can we even make progress? Is it there a lot of flexing and straining required? “Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it.”23

The Bible gives us an example that really helps show what our perception of our own perfection should be, and it is found in the story of Job. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And the Lord said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?” (Job 1:1, 8). Notice how God said that Job was perfect. But what did Job say about himself? “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20. The lesson here is that only God can declare us as holy. We cannot declare it. If we declare it, in that moment, we are unholy.

From Job’s example we can see not only that we can make no claim to perfection, but we even have no knowledge of it at all. The acknowledgement, the record-keeping, and the declaration are God’s prerogative. “No one who claims holiness is really holy. Those who are registered as holy in the books of Heaven are not aware of the fact, and are the last ones to boast of their own goodness. None of the prophets and apostles ever professed holiness, not even Daniel, Paul, or John. The righteous never make such a claim. The more nearly they resemble Christ, the more they lament their unlikeness to him.”24 What we are to be concerned with is to be continually “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), and as we continue to do so, we become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So how does the process of becoming perfect actually work?

1. God begins the work. In Philippians 1:6 we read, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you…” The work of getting started belongs to God.

2. Jesus presents us as faultless before His Father. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory...” (Jude 24, c.f. Colossians 1:28.) This is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.

3. God declares us as being righteous. “Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 25, 26). In this step, the righteousness of God is declared, or spoken, into our lives. The Bible says that the very words that God speaks are themselves creative (Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 55:11). So what were to happen if God were to make a declaration that we were righteous, when in fact, we were not? In Numbers 23:19 it says that God cannot lie, but Hebrews 6:18 tells us something more interesting: it says it is impossible for God to lie. Why is that? Because if God were to say something that were untrue, it would become true, in the moment that He would say it. If God declares us righteous, and yet we are unrighteous, we become righteous in the moment that He declares us so, if we are repentant and exercise faith in His promise. This is the righteousness of Christ imparted to us.

4. God measures our growth. “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (Revelation 11:1). Once again we see that the prerogative of observing and recording the exact status of our growth belongs to God. The problem with measuring ourselves is that our bias will always result in a grade that is higher by our own standard than in God’s eyes. But a bigger problem occurs when we measure others, often by our own measuring rod. We tend to flatter ourselves that our neighbor is worse off than we are, but the reality is we are completely blind to our own hypocrisy. We can be so thankful that God owns this step, and His measuring instruments are always perfectly balanced. It is also important to notice that we never find any Scripture in which God informs us of our measurements.

5. God records our progress. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).

6. God finishes the work that He started. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

7. God seals us with His own seal. “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” Ezekiel 9:4. Just as an artist signs his work, so the Master Artist puts His signature on His greatest work of art, the spotless character of Jesus in the life of a weak, incapable human being whose greatest desire is to bring honor to His name. But if God is to be the one to seal us with His seal, it must be His work that He is sealing. Imagine approaching Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, or any one of the great painters of history, and asking them to put their signature on a piece that you had painted yourself. It would be unthinkable—even sacrilegious. And yet unfortunately, many of us have tried to do this with God. We’ve carefully crafted a coat of righteousness that looks like His, and shamefully asked Him to accept it. If God is to seal us with His own seal, it must be His own work that he is signing. Are you not willing to trade in your rags for the robe of Christ’s righteousness, signed with that most beautiful of signatures, and offered freely as a gift?

In review, it is plain to see that the work of becoming perfect—is one-hundred percent—the work of God. There is not one single ounce of human craftsmanship, or else God could not attest to the completeness and authenticity of the result.

What about me? What is my work? Is there anything required from me for this to happen?

1. Faith. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

2. Surrender. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Faith, surrender, together with prayer—this is our “work”. But is it really work? Does our faithmerit reward before God? Does our surrender through prayer hold any value, or are they merely conditions? The only thing which has merit before God is the perfect life of Christ, and so we should really call this our role.

But what about obedience? How does that fit into this picture? Isn’t that something that we still have to do? Let’s take a closer look. “The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be cooperation between God and the repentant sinner.”25 If we were to apply this principle of cooperation to obedience, what would it look like?

Galatians 2:20, which we have already read, should make it plain: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me…” (emphasis added). So is the obedience mine or Christ’s? It is my surrender, and Christ’s work; my choice, God’s power. In fact, that is a good definition for obedience.

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). “Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). The Bible makes it plain: obedience is something that fits across both spectrums. The choice comes from us, but the actual act comes from God and is done through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit in the life, which we call the “divine nature.”

“Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. . .

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. . . . Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. . . . By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.”26

In a letter to a church member who once struggled with perfection anxiety, sister White said, “Brother Church, the Lord has said, ‘a new heart will I give you.’ [Ezekiel 36:26.] You may labor, you may work with all your powers for a new heart and you will be just as far from your object as you are at the present time. You cannot prepare the garment of righteousness for yourself. You must put on the garment of righteousness of Christ which has been woven in Christ’s loom. All your struggles and wrestlings are unnecessary. All you have to do is to believe the naked promise of God. . . . Christ says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. . . . All you have to do is to open the door for Jesus.” 27

Dear reader, the question for you today is, whose robe are you wearing? Maybe, you’ve found yourself in a category of believing that perfection was simply not achievable, because it was so difficult. On the other hand, maybe you’ve struggled for years to weave a robe of your own, and after trying it on, have found it heavy to carry. Won’t you accept the beautiful robe that God has freely offered? You will find not only that it is light to wear, but also that it could not fit more perfectly.