“PERFECTION”

 

“If thou wouldest be PERFECT...” – Matthew 19:21 (ASV)

PERFECT is one of those words often misunderstood by many honest, God-fearing people as meaning a state of sinlessness. This misunderstanding can be attributed in part to the continued teaching of John Calvin’s theology.

In AN INTRODUCTION TO CALVINISM, Gene Taylor wrote: The central idea of Calvinism is the sovereignty of God. “The one rock upon which Calvinism builds is that of the absolute and unlimited sovereignty of the eternal and self-existent Jehovah.” (Ben A. Warburton, Calvinism, p. 169) Calvin did not discover the sovereignty of God. He isolated it as idea. His isolation of it is the problem. He exalted the sovereignty of God to the exclusion of other truths of Scripture. All of the five points of Calvinism flow from this basic premise. “These other doctrines are an expression of this one central theme. Thus if God is absolutely sovereign—the Alpha and Omega—then it follows that salvation depends entirely on him and not on man.” (Edwin H. Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism, p. 74).

Each person needs to understand whether it is sin or the penalty for sin (i.e., death) that is inherited from Adam. In answer, consider Paul’s words: “Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men…death reigned…” (Romans 5:12, 17). A person becomes a sinner when he violates God’s law not when he is born. (cf. 1 John 3:4). The grave consequence of Calvinism is the false sense of justification it gives to those living a lifestyle condemned by God: fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (cf. Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:17-23; 1 Peter 4:3-6).

Godliness is clearly a choice of man (cf. Colossians 3:1-10, “put off…put on…”). Repentance is not easy. While it involves making a choice to serve a new master, it also calls upon man to make a self-sacrifice: die to his own sins. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:15-18).

What possible motivation could be strong enough to empower a person to give up pursuing happiness and enjoyment as he deems best for himself and others? Nothing other than the promise of a greater life from a being who has the power to both create and sustain life.  (cf. Psalm 18:15; 33:6; Acts 17:25).  Who or what is powerful enough to cause a person to acknowledge the failings of his own way of thinking (cf. Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23)? Only a being who possesses a wisdom that man cannot know apart from God. “Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living…God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” (Job 28:20-21a, 23).

God declared through the prophet Isaiah, “I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). The apostle Paul declared that God, “giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.” (Romans 4:17). All this power resides in God’s word. What He declares comes to pass (Isaiah 55:11). So, when Jesus spoke to the young ruler in Matthew 19:21 about achieving perfection, it would happen, because God declared it. Let us briefly note some facts about this perfection of which Jesus spoke.

~ It was to obtain eternal life – He asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” (v. 16).

~ It (eternal life) needed to be desired above all his other desires (his possessions—v. 22) – Jesus told him, “If thou wouldest be perfect…” (v. 21).

~ It involved respect for Jesus’ authority. Jesus told him, “…go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” (v. 21).

Eternal life is the equivalent of perfection in this text. Jesus told him how it is possible. It requires self-denial and discipleship in this life. Discipleship involves a cleansing from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1). It is with a view to godly maturity (cf. Philippians 3:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-13).

This is seen from v. 22, “But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.” This perfection (eternal life) will be revealed at Judgment. It is reserved for all who exercise faith in Jesus’ words (cf. 1 Peter 1:4-5).