Quality of Excellence

The people of God have discussed the concept of PERFECTION many times during the last two thousand years. In this dialogue, we will accept as fact that human perfection is never absolute. Sincerity is our best hope as we allow the Spirit of God to guide our imperfect life. Our over-all effort in life must be an attempt to conform to the will of God Almighty. Remember that attaining success with God is not primarily about his rules but the rule maker Himself. David was a man after God’s own heart but he did not always conduct himself properly. The implied goal of Christianity is to attain spiritual maturity. In Greek, the word for maturity is “complete.” This is important because the King James Bible uses the word perfect and maturity interchangeably for the concept of completeness. Look carefully, because God’s plan for excellence is not a path considered obvious by human reasoning.

God’s plan for our spiritual perfection goes something like this. A few people are willing to give up their natural life and strive to find a righteous life that is attuned to the Lord and Savior of humans. The Spirit of God will find these sincere folks and provide the power for there complete conversion. We have an unusual position, Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation… if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:12-14) We all know that we are short of the perfection of God. However, Paul says we are obligated to leave everything possible behind in order to pursue the maturity of our new life. Jesus told his disciples to make no provision that would become an obstacle. We must have faith to make Jesus our Lord just as we did to make him Savior.

Knowing or even following all the “rules” is not Christian maturity. Scripture says, Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity,(completeness) not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Heb 6:1,2) To reach for perfection we must adopt some characteristics of spiritual completeness. One of them is steadfastness. You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3,4) In order to “hang in there” for a lifetime of service to God, we must have a good anchor. Jesus is the foundation of every success in spirituality. We must anchor firmly to the Foundation and become steadfast.

Another component of spiritual maturity is our participation utilizing the highest degree of ability possible. Unfortunately, many people on the Church pew make no effort to serve God the rest of the week. Their apathy has caused them to grow dangerously petrified. They sit like rows of clones made from Lots ex-wife. Some of the more knowledgeable believers sit back and say “I don’t worry because my perfection is in Christ." This is absolutely true and there is no other way of salvation. The problematic question these people will face is the motive behind their thinking. Paul claimed, My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me…He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. (1 Cor 4:4,5) Maturity does not shirk God given responsibilities.

We should also demonstrate the approved character of a Christian. It is obvious to even worldly people that a Christian must give up worldly activities. This will leave us plenty of time to embrace the new life that Jesus wants to live in each of us. Admitting that we are not perfect does not allow us to live under the “clay feet” excuse. The Spirit wants us to live in the state of striving to become perfect. Are we sincerely attempting to live a life that imitates our Savior? Since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator…Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col 3:9-12) Paul goes on to say that love is the ultimate quality of excellence and maturity.

Spiritual maturity is not possible at all without the Spirit living in us. God has revealed it (everything) to us by his Spirit…No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us…The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned…But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:10-16)  We all have trusted in the Savior of the world but many among us do not trust the mind of Jesus to direct their lives. Proclaiming Jesus as the Lord of our life is the only way reach maturity. Paul said it this way, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Ro 12:2) This means our mind is being renewed as we allow the mind of Christ to direct our life. Maturity is a gift that comes after we yield our control to the Spirit.

The perfecting action of the Spirit (maturity) is shown by our love. If anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:5,6)  Jesus commanded us to love others. The action of love is what binds us together in to the body of Christ. This unity promotes unbroken communion with God through our mediator. The focus of our maturity is not our sinless life but our love of others. At times we find loving difficult but Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)  Love is the most important concept for Christianity. One writer said “Love is the badge of discipleship.”

Let us make every effort to attain the quality of excellence in our love.