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I. EXPLAIN THE POINT BY SEVERAL DISTINCTIONS.

1. There is a perfection of the reward and a perfection of grace.

(1) Of the reward the saints will have in heaven when they are freed from all sinful weakness (1 Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 5:17; Jude 1:24). This we have not in this world, but because we expect it in the next we are to labour after the highest perfection in holiness here, because allowed imperfection is a disesteem of blessedness (1 John 3:3). He that looketh for a sinless state will get as much as he can of it now.

(2) The perfection of grace and holiness is such as the saints may attain unto in this life (Colossians 4:12).

2. Legal and evangelical; the one is where there is no sin, the other no guile; the one stands in an exact conformity to God's law, the other in a sincere endeavour to fulfil it; the one can endure the balance, the other only the touchstone.

(1) Legal perfection is described in Galatians 3:10, and supposes a man innocent, and requires that he keep so. This is impossible through the weakness of the flesh (Romans 8:3).

(2) Evangelical (2 Kings 20:3) is consistent with weakness (2 Chronicles 15:17). This all must have (1 Chronicles 28:9). What is done for God must be done willingly and with all the exactness possible. Some do many things that are good, but their hearts are not perfect with God (2 Chronicles 25:2); the heart is divided between God and other things (Hosea 10:2; James 1:8).

3. Absolute and comparative.

(1) That is absolutely perfect to which nothing is wanting. This is in Christ only, not in us.

(a)  Where there are so many relics of the flesh a man cannot be absolutely perfect (Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:24).

(b)  There is none but sometimes sin (1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8).

(c)  There is none but need the mercy of God and ought to pray for this as for daily bread (Matthew 6:13).

(2) Comparative perfection is two fold.

(a) When the professors of Christianity are compared with those that live under other institutions. They that submit to Christ's terms are said to be perfect, because Christianity itself is perfection (Matthew 19:21).

(b) When compared with others of the same profession, believers are distinguished into perfect and imperfect. Though none can attain to absolute perfection, yet there are several degrees of grace, and diversities of growth (Ephesians 4:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:1; 14:20; Hebrews 5:13-14). It is a monstrous thing after many years' growth to be an infant still.

4. Of parts and of degrees.

(1) Of parts, when we have all things that belong to a sincere Christian — as living creatures are perfect as soon as they are brought forth. Thus a Christian must have grace to enlighten and govern, one grace added to another (James 1:4). What is defective in parts cannot be supplied by any after growth. Leave out any necessary grace and the new creature is maimed; some leave out temperance, or patience, or love (1 Peter 5:1-7).

(2) Of degrees, when thing has attained its highest pitch. So we are only perfect in heaven (Hebrews 12:23).

5. Of growth and consummation.

(1) Things are said to be done when they are begun to be done (2 Corinthians 5:17). And so they are said to be perfect who are in the way of perfection (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16). This perfection is taken —

(a)  As to means (Ephesians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).

(b)  As to improvement of means (2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1).

(2) Consummate; when after the hazards of life we are presented to Christ (Colossians 1:28); and by Christ to God (Colossians 1:22).

II. THE REASONS WE MUST BE PERFECT.

1. We have a perfect God (Matthew 5:43) whom we are required to imitate, and therefore we must not set bounds to our holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).

2. We have a perfect rule (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:17).

3. We have a perfect Redeemer (Colossians 2:10).

4. There is a perfect reward (Ephesians 4:13).

III. THE MOTIVES OF THIS PERFECTION.

1. What you lost in Adam must be recovered in Christ, or else you dishonour your Redeemer (Romans 5:17).

2. We pray for perfection and therefore must endeavour after it, otherwise our prayers are a mockery (Matthew 6:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

3. In our making covenant we purpose to do the will of God, and so must endeavour to carry it out, otherwise it is not made with a true heart (Hebrews 10:22; Psalm 18:23; Revelation 3:2).

4. Consider the comfort and peace of the man who presses toward perfection (Psalm 37:37).

IV. THE MEANS.

1. See that the work be begun, for there must be converting grace before confirming grace. What good will it do to blow a dead coal, or to seek strength before we have life.

2. The radical graces must be strengthened — strong faith, fervent love, lively hope.

3. Use the means with all seriousness and good conscience.

(1) In the Word you have principles of faith, obligations to love, arguments of hope, and therefore are built up (Acts 20:32).

(2) The sacraments strengthen our faith and hope as a bond or vow, and excite and engage our love and obedience.

(3) Prayer (1 Peter 5:10).

4. Think much and often of your perfect blessedness which you expect according to promise, which will quicken and excite you to more diligence. There will be —

(1) A complete vision of God and Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12).

(2) A complete possession and fruition of God (Ephesians 3:19; 1 Corinthians 1:30).

(3) A complete transformation into the image of Christ (1 John 3:2; Psalm 17:15).

(4) A complete delectation arising from all this (Psalm 16:11.)

V. THE NOTES.

1. When there is such a base esteem of worldly things that our affections are weakened to them every day (Galatians 6:14).

2. When more unsatisfied with present degrees of holiness with a constant desire to grow better.

3. When we are swayed more by love than by fear (Galatians 4:6; 1 John 4:18).

4. When we are more humble and see more of our defects than others do.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

WEB: Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.