How do we become suitable for God? How do we become complete (lacking nothing) or perfect?
In order for us to answer that question we must first know that – that is what God expects from us. Some will tell us it’s impossible to be perfect/righteous as long as we are in the flesh but God’s word tells us to be you perfect as He is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Perfect means to be complete. The dictionary defines perfect in this manner: having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; highly suitable for someone or something.
We become perfect, when we develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: …” There is no law quantifying long-suffering, meekness, joy or peace. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
Therefore when we are placed in situations that causes us pain, we need to pray for wisdom. God allows us to go through situations that help us to develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, praise God in every situation–good or bad!
To become perfect lacking nothing, we need to learn patience and contentment.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James the head of the church (Yeshua’s brother) said, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3-4) Paul says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) (“To those who by patient persistence in well-doing seek glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life”: (Romans 2:7 AMP Bible)
We are complete lacking nothing with the assistance of God’s Holy Spirit developing us into the character of God: love.
We can become perfect by not offending others.
For in many things we offend all. (James 3:2) If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (Psalm 141:3 ) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21) Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1Thessalonians 5:22) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (Proverbs 21:23)
You must ask God to help you not offend others thus keep you from iniquity: sin.
If we endure the challenges and eliminate sin, which is lawlessness, we will gain eternal life–a promise from God to us.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36) The promise to Abraham and his seed (us) is eternal life via God. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Paul prays to God that we become perfect and preserved in that manner unto the coming of Yeshua. Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ( I Corinthians 1:8)
To become perfect (holy or righteous), we need to learn from our mistakes and flee sin. When Jesus stumbled upon a woman caught in adultery, He reasoned with her accusers until they all fled. Then Jesus asked her where were her accusers?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11)
God saved her from dying. He told her do not sin again. Why did Jesus tell her to go and sin no more? What do you think He meant?
Another time Jesus found a person lying in a bed unable to walk and He healed him.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (John 5:14)
That worst thing is death: separation from God for eternity. When we recognize that we need God’s help, we will humble ourselves. We will repent and ask God to help us overcome both sin and the effects of sin in our lives.
To become perfect we need to obey God with humility. Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” Humility is lowering of oneself in relation to others, freedom of pride and arrogance, and having a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own worth.
1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Being humble allows us to truly see and appreciate what God has done for us. It’s hard to see God at work when you think you did everything on your own. Even the things we accomplish; is due to God giving us the strength to endure, the wisdom to understand, and doors to open that were once shut.
To walk perfect with God, we need to be Holy.
Peter says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
This will require a great deal of effort to cut out sin. We must develop a great deal of patience with others and ourself to grow with the help of the Holy Spirit.
James reminds us, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4) “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
Patience is key to holiness.
When God sets us apart (sanctification), this allows us to become perfect both in body and spirit with aid from the Spirit of God.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:33)
God both separates unto Himself and He is with us helping us via the Holy Spirit to return complete and prepared for God’s Holy kingdom free from lawlessness: iniquity.
I Thessalonians 3:13 To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
I Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.