Striving for Perfection
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Philippians 2:14-15
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
1 Peter 1:13-19
13. Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15. but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16. since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17. And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19. but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
My NIV translation states verse 13 of 1 Peter this way: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” The notes in my bible indicate that this is a graphic call to action. In the first century, the reader would understand that the exhortation is to literally gather up ones long, flowing garment and prepare for physical action. Lest you have any doubt about it, there is a war raging – for our hearts and our minds – and most importantly – for our souls. And Christians must be on guard constantly. And more, we must be aware of all threats to the kingdom.
We are called exiles in verse 17. That is because we are here on earth only temporarily. We are bound for heaven! Because of our final destination, we are to live apart from the world in how we act, in how we think, and in how we live. We are to be holy because Christ was holy. We are not afraid of God, but rather hold him in highest regard, with reverence, because of his unspeakable love for us! We are to love as Christ loved, live as Christ lived. We are to die to ourselves, and live for others. Nothing on this earth should compel us to do so – only Christ and His sacrifice.
This is a high calling indeed. We know we will never be able to live up to the way Christ lived, nor will we ever offer up any greater sacrifice. But His blood is intended as encouragement for us, not self-recrimination. We can strive for the perfection of the Cross. That is the task at hand: the striving. And when we “set [our] hope fully upon the grace that is coming” we shine as lights in a dark and sin-filled world. When we set our minds on Christ, we are able to overcome and to endure the daily struggles in our lives. We even persevere in the face of suffering, pain, and even exile.
Paul considered himself more blessed when he suffered more! I don’t know that I would go that far, but I do know that when I offer up my own suffering—physical, mental, emotional or spiritual—I perform an act of sacrifice. I become more like Christ when I endure in spite of whatever I am going through. I’m far the point of “rejoicing” in my adversity, so I clearly have a long way to go before I reach the point Paul was able to arrive at. I have been practicing focusing upon my many blessings more though. That sets the tone for my whole life now!
The other day my husband looked at me and told me he was happy. It was a sweet gesture, and I told him I was too. We weren’t just saying that – we don’t do that! What we both meant (I don’t think he’ll mind my speaking for him as well!) is that after almost 30 years of marriage – some of them pretty rough, but most very rewarding – we are beginning to reap the reward of our “striving” in our relationship. And that is how it is to be a Christian, too – the striving is the whole point! And the will to “survive,” to endure, to remain steadfast in the striving is because of our promise of heaven.
My prayer today is that you prepare your mind for action. And that you strive constantly for the perfection found only in Jesus Christ.
Mary
