A PERFECT MAN
Elder Wayne Crocker
The term "perfect man" is intended to be generic, applying to man, woman, boy or girl. A perfect man consists of both body and soul or spirit. In that sense every individual member of the human family could be considered a perfect or complete man.
One meaning of the word "perfect" is complete. Every individual is completely human from the moment of conception and soul implantation which we believe occurs at the same moment. However, in the biblical sense, there are many things lacking before one becomes perfect or complete. In fact, we know that in the strictest sense, there has been only one perfect man, the man Christ Jesus. None of us will ever reach a state of sinless perfection in this life. Yet, Jesus said: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
The phrase, "Be ye therefore", indicates a connection with what has just been taught. The perfection under consideration deals with keeping the commandments contained in the previous verses of Matthew 5. It appears to particularly apply to the lesson regarding loving and doing good to our enemies just as our heavenly Father does good, "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).
Our natural tendency to be bitter toward those who mistreat us must be curbed. Rather than having vengeance toward those who have done us wrong, we are to do them good wherever and whenever we are able. And we are to do so from the principle of love, even though they may not deserve our love. They are no less deserving of our love than we were of God's love.
Paul tells us to: "avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21).
The above lesson can easily be misapplied. We need to realize that Jesus and Paul are dealing primarily with personal offenses rather than actions of murderers, rapists, terrorists and robbers. Our love for innocent and godly people would cause us to take whatever action we are able to protect the innocent from vicious and evil men.
To be perfect in the biblical sense, requires us to be holy. Again, this does not mean that we can ever achieve in this life a degree of holiness that would equal the holiness of God or reach a state of sinless perfection. But our goal should be to strive to come as close as possible to that state. In this regard Paul admitted that he was not yet perfect (Philippians 3:12). But he goes on to say: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Peter instructs us to be "obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Peter 1:14-16). This means to be holy in every aspect of our lives that would include the manner in which we converse one with another. James says, "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).
A perfect or complete man, woman, boy or girl must be a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. This requires repentance, baptism, and a faithful walk in the Lord's church. It requires a disciplined life in which we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This involves much prayer, study of the word, and keeping our bodies under subjection to the spirit of Christ that dwells within us (I Corinthians 9:27). It means to lay aside selfish interests so that we may help others. It means to walk humbly, seeking God's glory rather than our own. It means to fulfill our responsibilities to God, family, country and mankind as our limited abilities and resources will permit.
The goal that Paul mentioned over and over was that he might bring the Lord's children to a state of completeness or perfection (Colossians 1:28, II Corinthians 7:1, II Corinthians 13:9, 11). This is not a matter unique to Paul, but he mentions the following regarding "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Colossians 4:12).
If each of us would make a determined effort to go on to perfection in the service of Christ, it would make a pro-found difference in our homes, churches and communities.
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