Should We Strive for Religious Excellence

How important is it that we strive to be perfect? The drive and determination that it takes just to exceed at any given task takes monumental effort. For instance, the athlete that achieves the world championship must dedicate and sacrifice his life totally to training for the event. The successful business person must spend countless hours working at their occupation in order to achieve world market wealth. When we consider the spiritual aspect of Christian perfection, we are sure to begin to have doubts that we can never achieve such a goal. The total sacrifice needed to become like the Apostle Paul seems unattainable, so therefore many of us say, “What’s the use?”

Truth is there are no perfect people, only a perfect God. Those who follow Him through obedience to the gospel of Christ set for themselves a level of perfection, a godly maturity. Jesus said, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). So again we have to ask ourselves, “Should we strive for religious perfection?” Even though we will never be perfect, Christians have no choice other than to set out for the highest of spiritual goals. Don’t get down and discouraged and even though you may never be perfect you can have a relationship with a perfect God, believe in a perfect Savior, belong to a perfect church and receive the perfect gift of salvation.

Philippians 3:12

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

Jay Launius
2021
Maud church of Christ
Maud, Texas