Being Perfect Before God

Being perfect before God is being justified. Being justified simply means to be guiltless. Now this guiltless state does not mean we have obtained holiness. Being perfect is a position we hold because of Christ's sacrifice, but being holy is a process we cultivate by His Spirit.

Let’s look at the tabernacle for a minute. Moses was told by God on the mountain to build the tabernacle, a place wher...e God’s Spirit could dwell among the people; it was also a place where the people could be justified daily for their sins. The building of this tabernacle was to be perfect in its construction. God told Moses specifically, “See to it you make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.” Why? It was the shadow of God’s holiest place: Heaven It was the replica of ultimate perfection and holiness residing together in its fullness.

Jesus died on a mountain. His life on earth was a life of complete perfection; he was completely justified by God because He had no sin. But Jesus was also holy; he was the perfect and holy bread of heaven that came to earth. He was the epitome of perfection and holiness combined as our example to follow. And His example was and is specific; there is no alteration to His example; there is no other way to be, not even in the slightest. He is our pattern!

So, being holy is a process in which we prepare our souls after the pattern of Jesus. This process involves a life that chooses to live without sin and chooses to resist it when it comes our way. It is a change in our thoughts, our actions, our hearts, our emotions and our decisions in life; a change that boldly decides to be different from the imperfection (non-justified) life we use to live to fulfilling the perfect (justified) life we are living today. It is renewing ourselves day by day by God’s truth. We build with His resources not the world’s.

Think of holiness this way: just like it took many years for the Israelite's to build the tabernacle after the pattern by which God gave Moses, it is taking many years for us to pattern our lives after the life of Jesus. That is called Holiness! It is a process by which we construct our souls in preparation to meet Jesus face to face when He comes a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Our completion date for holiness does not reach its fullness until we have stepped over into heaven, the place where perfection and holiness reside in its fullness. Can’t wait! But I have much work to do in this process until that day comes. Amen?

“For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14