Forgiven and on the transformation journey.

   
    Do you want to be perfect? Some doctrines teach we can be free from all sin. The definition of perfect includes such notions as flawless, without fault, essential in all detail, lacking in no requirement and possessing supreme moral character. In every age there are cults which promise perfection. In Paul's day the Greek Mystery religions enticed people to join in secret rituals to become superior to normal people in knowledge, spiritual experience, and moral attainment.  This desire to claim perfection and a superior state than regular folks is a popular illusion.
     Scientology is a modern cult cloaked in secret teaching only for insiders. The leaders isolate members on 6 month cruises to immerse them in hidden doctrines. This group claims to help people achieve immortality and a superior plane of existence. They target wealthy and famous celebrities who already tend to believe the illusion of their own superiority. It is very expensive to be involved and no one can question the authority of the supreme leader. It is not based on science, but upon the science fiction writings of L. Ron Hubbard. We must be aware of cults of perfection which only inflate the ego and fill us with arrogance.
     In Philippians 3:12 the Apostle Paul addressed perfectionism. The early Christians were being enticed by the Mystery religions. Paul denies he will ever be perfect. He compares himself to a runner in a marathon race. A runner never finishes the race until the course is over.
We never arrive in this life at a complete level of spiritual attainment or knowledge. We will only arrive when we pass from this human life into the presence of our Judge and Redeemer.
      In Matthew 5:48 the Lord Jesus does call upon us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father. This Greek word also used by Paul means to be fully grown up in our adulthood. This is the call of God to keep growing in wisdom, understanding, service and courage as long as we have life.  I can never become perfect. I am a forgiven child of God who is called to be fruitful and faithful. In the power of the Holy Spirit we can find strength to grow to forgive all people and not just react to their hurtful actions.
      As followers of Christ we have the summons to become like our Creator Father. This is a journey of growing in insight and self awareness.  The closer we come to Christ the more we are aware of our flaws, limited knowledge and faults. Instead of growing arrogant with spiritual progress we become humbly conscious of our need for His mercy. This is good news. We do not need to pretend to be more than we are. The Lord accepts us where we are if we have a willing spirit to serve Him and to be transformed by His grace. The Lord wants us to do our best daily to stay connected to Him.
As humans we will make mistakes, blunder and sin in spite of our best intentions. In His mercy we pick ourselves up and learn even from our wounds and sins. We are not called to be perfect in the way of this world such as Scientology. We are called to love mercy, practice kindness and walk humbly with our God. We can let go of this terrible burden of perfectionism right now. We are forgiven and on the journey of transformation to become a better person.