Getting To The Root Of Perfection
Friday, February 7
Reading: Matthew 5:48
Be Perfect
In many ways our culture worships image. Perfectionism is a growing struggle for everyone…men and women, kids and adults…and has only been increasing. Everyone knows that it is impossible for someone to be perfect in every (or any) aspect of life, yet most of us are still measuring ourselves against this impossible, and undefinable standard and inevitably falling short.
Questions To Consider
Before Reading:
Take a few moments to pray, honestly reflect, and journal on the following questions:
After Reading:
It’s not a long verse…but it feels impossibly difficult! “Be perfect?” How on this side of Heaven are we supposed to do that? And the standard of perfection that we are to aim toward is God himself? God is not asking us to work harder to achieve perfection. That is what the world challenges us to believe, and this thinking doesn’t line up with the rest of Scripture. Instead, this verse is not here to shame us when we make a mistake, or to challenge us to live beyond our capacity. God wants us to live dependent on Him, not trying to be superhuman. So, let’s dive into these words to find out more about what God is wanting from us and for us in these words.
The word translated “perfect” in most of our Bibles is the Greek word “teleios” which means “complete” in a variety of applications: labor, growth, mental and moral character. The idea conveyed is of maturity. Let’s look at some other verses that use this same word “teleios”:
τέλειος téleios, tel'-i-os; from G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness:—of full age, man, perfect. The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
Take a few moments to pray, honestly reflect, and journal on the following questions:
- What has this week been like?
- What has God been prompting in my heart and mind that I have not surrendered to Him yet? Why?
After Reading:
It’s not a long verse…but it feels impossibly difficult! “Be perfect?” How on this side of Heaven are we supposed to do that? And the standard of perfection that we are to aim toward is God himself? God is not asking us to work harder to achieve perfection. That is what the world challenges us to believe, and this thinking doesn’t line up with the rest of Scripture. Instead, this verse is not here to shame us when we make a mistake, or to challenge us to live beyond our capacity. God wants us to live dependent on Him, not trying to be superhuman. So, let’s dive into these words to find out more about what God is wanting from us and for us in these words.
The word translated “perfect” in most of our Bibles is the Greek word “teleios” which means “complete” in a variety of applications: labor, growth, mental and moral character. The idea conveyed is of maturity. Let’s look at some other verses that use this same word “teleios”:
τέλειος téleios, tel'-i-os; from G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness:—of full age, man, perfect. The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
- Matthew 19:21
- Romans 12:2
- 1 Corinthians 2:6,
- 1 Corinthians 13:10
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
- Ephesians 4:13
- Philippians 3:15
- Colossians 1:28
- James 1:17
Reflect On A Few More Questions
- How can we reconcile the idea of "being perfect" with our human limitations?
- What specific actions can we take to "be perfect" as our Heavenly Father is perfect?
- This command to “be perfect” is in the context of several passages about relationships. How should this command impact our relationships with others?
- How can we find balance between striving for growth / maturity and accepting our imperfections?