Recently, the WW technique was, “Shift Perfectionistic Thinking”. The idea was that we don’t expect others to be perfect, so we should not expect perfection from ourselves. We allow others to have flaws, failures and shortcomings without thinking less of them, so why not give ourselves that same grace?
We were challenged to identify someone whom we admire, whether a relative, friend, famous person or even a fictional character. We talked about the traits that we admired about that person and then were asked to find three traits we share in common with that person. Then, we talked about how we could leverage those traits to overcome obstacles in our journey.
It was really a fantastic technique. I realized that I possess many of the same traits as those I see conquer things that have been difficult for me. I apply them to some areas of my life, but they haven’t transitioned into other areas where I might use them.
All of that is great, but we know there is MORE! Let’s shift our thinking even further by looking at how the Word defines perfection. It’s not about being without weaknesses or shortcomings, it’s about being complete and not lacking – wholeness, really. Before we talk about that, lets look at our Trinity of Truth because…it’s the Word!
1. Wanting to be perfect is not a bad thing. It is actually Biblical, but we need to understand what the perfection is and how it is achieved. James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
2. Looking to Jesus, the Word, as the One who perfects us, takes the pressure off of us to perform. We move toward Him and He does the heavy lifting. We don’t need to carry the weight of anything, especially not sin. Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
3. The Word is key. God’s love is perfected in us as we keep His word. We are called to walk in a place of perfection. We do that by imitating Christ. He is perfect. God is perfect and we are made in his likeness and image. We were reborn into perfection when we received Christ. We are in Christ! 1 John 2:4-6, “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” Matthew 5:48, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Seeking perfection is totally appropriate for a believer, when we understand what perfection is, how it is obtained and what it’s purpose is. We are called to seek His perfect will for our lives and Paul assures us in Romans 12:2 that God’s perfect will is knowable, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Biblical perfection is not about our performance, it’s about our relationship with Christ and response to God, His love, His word, and the resulting faith, which then produces results in our lives and makes us useful in ministering to others. From a spiritual standpoint, when we talk about shifting perfectionistic thinking, it is likely a need to shift to perfectionistic thinking. When we have an understanding of who Christ is, who we are in Christ, and who He wants to transform us to be, there is revelation of perfection as a result of what Jesus did for us! We are blood bought for perfection!
Hebrews 10:12-14, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
We ARE perfected for all time – made whole, complete and lacking nothing – in Jesus Christ.
