Strive for Perfection
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Jesus Christ establishes a needed high standard of conduct in order that His disciples be made aware of their need for salvation and their need to struggle in order to have the kingdom reign of Jesus Christ within them. The word perfect here can refer only to one who is complete as a result of God's accredited righteousness that results from His grace.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Apostle paul was Christ-sent apostle with great anointing who also have religious background in Judaism, yet he still had much desire for both growth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and as well as spiritual growth within his heart.
Striving for perfection is to desire for a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm, while we are in this world, however, our knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ sometimes becomes limited, our understanding of Jesus Christ will excel only when we have been taken from the confines of this world into the affections of Christ and the heavenly.
Being a believer in Christ does not determine one has become perfect in God in holiness and righteousness, but when we keep our eyes focused on the set goal which is the kingdom of God, then all our affections, desires and goal will be on God alone.
Apostle Paul's maturity is identified by the fact that he does not consider this world his home, his treasures are laid up in heaven and not on this earth.
Those who are striving to grow in spiritual maturity, but have not yet set their minds completely on those things above just remain confident that they will continue to grow in spiritual maturity as they discard their focus on the things of this world. They must remain in fellowship with the word, the holy spirit and consistent obedience to God's instructions.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
The purpose of being a believer in Christ in this world is to be able to end in Christ and reign with Him in God's kingdom, so the need to enter the grate of the kingdom of God no matter how difficult it may seems because of the deceit that may come along the way.
There will be temptations on the way, satan will always try to pull everyone who believes in Christ down, he tries to present the pleasures of this world in an exchange of the kingdom of God. The Lord says, let everyone be conscious of the spirit and not be too confident in the salvation received, but rather be humble and stay steadfastly to Christ ways. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Endure persecution, obey diligently to all of God's command, and take off your focus from the pleasures of this world for the goal set before us which is the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Believers are not perfect in behaviour, but are perfect in Christ through the blood of Jesus Christ in fasting and prayer, holiness and righteousness and obedience to His words.
Strive to always be perfect in God, by this you keep yourself in form for the kingdom quest.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, help me to be perfect in you in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to end my quest in you in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.