Jesus commands us to “be perfect” or “blameless” (without fault):
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…” Ephesians 1:4
We are commanded to be “holy” because God is holy.
“…‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2
This seems to be an impossible command. What does it mean?
If we know we belong to Jesus – if we have accepted His free gift of His having paid the penalty for our sins by His death on the cross – then we are sinless in His eyes. We are already perfect, blameless and holy in one sense.
But Jesus commands us to be perfect. We are commanded to do something, to be something, something we do not necessarily possess.
It seems the answer is in this question is found in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:16
To be perfect is to obey Jesus. We should do what we know to be God’s will.
None of us does everything the way it should be done. Perhaps we don’t realize we are not doing something the best way; we do not yet see everything clearly:
“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12
The main danger we have to face is to not be deceived. We can be deceived into thinking we are not sinning or that our sin is not that important. Therefore, we do not hear His voice telling us to repent. We should ask God to forgive the faults we do not see, but also to reveal them to us so we can obey.
The other extreme is to feel condemned when God is pleased with us:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
Usually we know if we are doing something wrong. If we know we should or should not be doing something, to not obey is to not be perfect. When we know that we are not doing what Jesus wants, then we must change.
God will show us what we should be doing. For example, He showed the rich young ruler when He was asked:
“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
The rich young ruler thought that he was doing everything right (although everyone falls far short of keeping the Ten Commandments), but he didn’t understand that his attachment to his possessions was keeping him from the greatest treasure of all. Because he didn’t see his sin, he couldn’t seek forgiveness. Jesus loved him so he helped him realize he was sinning.
To be perfect is to obey what we know Jesus wants us to do. Usually what He requires is clear:
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
Studying the bible and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit will teach us how to do this.
Each of us have different struggles. God will help us to get rid of sin in our lives:
“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” Psalm 19:13
He reminds us to pray to not be overcome by temptation:
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 Luke 11:4
He can keep us from temptation:
“You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.” Psalm 18:36
He doesn’t allow any temptation that is impossible for us to overcome. We can always obey, because He is always there to help us:
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
We must make sure we are staying dependent on Him.
His love for us and His character is the reason He guides us in right paths away from temptation and evil:
“…He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved’” Ephesians 2:4-5
He forgives us when we do wrong because of His “great love for us” and because He is “rich in mercy”.
Paul’s attitude should be ours:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
We can obey Jesus, so we can be perfect.