Are You Perfect Yet?

Are you perfect yet? Perfection is a major topic in Hebrews. First of all, does it apply to Jesus?

“It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of salvation. This salvation belongs to many sons and daughters whom he’s leading to glory.” (Hebrews 2:10 CEB)

Jesus was God with us (Matthew 1:23), the Word made flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). How can we speak of Him being perfected? The Greek in this context means to complete, finish, or reach the final phase of a process. What process?

“... Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:11-15 NLT)

So the sinlessly perfect Son of God became the perfect Savior, setting us free from the power of death.

“... He had to be one of us, so he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins. And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.” (Hebrews 2:16-18 CEV)

Jesus did not need to learn to obey. He already was perfectly obedient since eternity past. But He did learn what obedience in the midst of suffering was. Thus He became our perfect source of salvation.

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:9 ESV)

Maturity or full growth is another aspect of the Greek word translated as perfection, when speaking of human beings.

“Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity [perfection], not laying again the foundation ...” (Hebrews 6:1-2 HCSB)

Was there perfection in the Levitical priesthood?

“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11 KJV)

Did the law make men perfect?

“(for the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better hope, through which we come near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19 NASB)

Was one weakness of the law its weak human high priests?

“For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:28 NIV)

Did the law perfect human consciences?

“It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:9-10 NKJV)

Is there a more perfect way?

“So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world.” (Hebrews 9:11 NLT)

Was perfection at all possible under the sacrificial system?

“For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.” (Hebrews 10:1 WEB)

Why is Jesus’ offering so much better?

“because he perfected the people who are being made holy with one offering for all time.” (Hebrews 10:14 CEB)

How does the coming of the church age affect the saints of Old Testament times?

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40-41 ESV)

What is Jesus’ instruction regarding perfection? Does God expect the impossible in a human being, to be sinlessly perfect? A lexicon reveals that the context means “one who has reached the proper height of virtue and integrity.”

“Therefore you shall be perfect [mature], just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 NKJV)

How is faith perfected? What does Abraham teach us?

“... You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2:21-23 HCSB)

We can’t just sit around doing nothing and expect to become perfect. Faith without works is dead. What are you doing in your life to obey Christ? Do your deeds reveal faith in Him? You decide!