Text: Philippians 3:12-16
Memory verse:
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭48‬

Perfection is God’s goal for every believer. Some think it’s unattainable and tag those who preach it as demanding unrealistic standard from their followers. If perfection is not possible, then Jesus wouldn’t have demanded it ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭5‬:‭48‬).
Perfection is in the sense of maturity. It is becoming like Christ. It is taking on the nature and character of Jesus. This is a lifelong process of transformation.
There are always two extremes. Those who believe that perfection can never be achieved and those who believe that the believer has been perfect already by the sacrifice of Jesus and nothing can tamper with the perfection. This latter group base their belief on Hebrews 10:14. “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
Let me illustrate it this way. A little boy began his education at the kindergarten and he got 100% in his subjects. Yes, that’s a perfect result. Isn’t it? ‭‭But has he perfected his education? Has he completed it? No. He needs to continue in the next class and on and on until he gets to the Ph.D. level or the peak of his education. At this level, he could be said to have perfected his education. You see, it would have been foolish to stop at that kindergarten level and to declare that he doesn’t need any more perfection because he is perfect. That’s what these proponents believe. Contrarily, hear what Paul said after all his exploits for God, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” ‭‭Phil 3.12)
Friends, though you are still far from the finishing line but believe that it is attainable. Don’t excuse those failures nor remain at your starting point. Rather keep striving to be more like Jesus.

Prayer points
1. Father, thank You for making me perfect through the sacrifice of Jesus.
2. Father, as I daily surrender to You, change me into the likeness and image of Your Son, in Jesus name.

1. I have been made perfect in my spirit but I grow daily to become more like Jesus in all my ways.
2. I believe I can be what God says I can be.