Topical Encyclopedia The concept of perfection in the Bible is often associated with spiritual maturity, completeness, and the pursuit of holiness. The exhortation to perfection is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, urging believers to strive for a life that reflects the character and holiness of God.Old Testament Foundations The call to perfection is rooted in the Old Testament, where God commands His people to be holy as He is holy. In Leviticus 19:2, God instructs Moses to speak to the entire assembly of Israel, saying, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." This call to holiness is a call to moral and spiritual perfection, reflecting God's own nature. New Testament Exhortations In the New Testament, the exhortation to perfection is further developed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself sets the standard for perfection in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:48, He declares, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This command emphasizes the pursuit of complete righteousness and love, mirroring the perfect nature of God. The Apostle Paul also exhorts believers to strive for perfection. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul acknowledges that perfection is a continual pursuit, urging believers to press on toward spiritual maturity. The Role of Love and Unity The exhortation to perfection is closely linked with love and unity within the body of Christ. In Colossians 3:14, Paul writes, "And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Love is seen as the ultimate expression of perfection, binding believers together in harmony and reflecting the love of Christ. The Work of the Holy Spirit The pursuit of perfection is not a solitary endeavor but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:16, Paul encourages believers to "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The Spirit works within believers to produce the fruit of righteousness, guiding them toward spiritual maturity and perfection. The Goal of Christian Life The exhortation to perfection is ultimately about becoming more like Christ. In Ephesians 4:13, Paul speaks of the goal of Christian life: "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This maturity is the perfection that believers are called to pursue, growing in the likeness of Christ and reflecting His character in every aspect of life. Conclusion The biblical exhortation to perfection is a call to pursue holiness, maturity, and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit and modeled after the life of Christ. It is a journey of continual growth, pressing on toward the goal of becoming more like the Savior. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Corinthians 13:11 Library Closing Exhortation. The Exhortation of Abbot John to Theonas and the Others who had ... That we Cannot Even Make the Effort to Obtain Perfection Without ... The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from ... An Exhortation to the Amorous Submission which we Owe to the ... An Exhortation to Peace and Unity On Exhortation to Chastity On Perfection An Exhortation to Love God Even the Old Discipline was not Without Precedents to Enforce ... Resources What is the meaning of perfection in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs sinless perfection possible in this life? | GotQuestions.org Who was Charles Finney? | GotQuestions.org Perfection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Perfection: All Saints Have, in Christ Perfection: Ascribed to Nathanael Perfection: Ascribed to Zacharias and Elizabeth Perfection: Charity is the Bond of Perfection: God's Perfection the Standard of Perfection: Implies: Entire Devotedness Perfection: Implies: Purity and Holiness in Speech Perfection: Impossibility of Attaining To Perfection: Ministers Appointed to Lead Saints To Perfection: Saints Commanded to Aim At Perfection: Saints Follow After Perfection: The Church Shall Attain To Perfection: The Word of God Is: Designed to Lead Us To Perfection: The Word of God Is: The Rule of Perfection: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms |
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