2 About Perfectionism

About Perfectionism (by Bill Stevenson, 4/28 & 30/05) I am sure you know what perfectionism means. In what forms can it be obtained or nearly accomplished by human beings? Have you scored 100% right on a test or quiz in school? Have you seen a gymnast or diving board athlete do what seemed to you a flawless performance in an event? Have you read a book (other than the Bible) that seemed perfect or watched a movie or TV program that seemed to have no mistakes? Last year, I saw a concert of a Russian Jewish father and son team. The son played piano wonderfully and the father played the clarinet and the saxophone wonderfully. It seemed that there performance in the Baptist church was perfect: I didn’t notice any mistakes. I have heard and played in many music performances, but that concert was the best in quality until now. What I heard last night in a Catholic church with maybe the best organ in Hanover (if not Germany) was the closest to perfection that I have ever witnessed!! It was a concert performed by a Russian organist and a German piccolo and flute player. My best music performing has been with the flute and the piccolo. These two specially gifted and talented played 7 wonderful music compositions covering the time periods of the 1600s up to 1938. They had wonderful non-verbal communication with each other using face and body movements. The organist had such even with the page turner who was helping him. The flute player had a good attitude it seemed, but he gave no indication that he is a Christian. (The organist didn’t talk at all because he apparently doesn’t know the German language.) How many non-Christian performers do you know of who seem to have very good attitudes, better than most of the people you go to church with? How many Christian musicians you have seen have arrogant or prideful attitudes. The flutist is 59 years old and the organist is older. They both seemed to have been able to use most of their lives for what they loved most, music. Can you say that for your life? Or do you know of others who have been able to spend most of their awake time using their best abilities? The flutist was thankful for his past life. He and the organist have had concerts which helped people understand that others they thought were horribly different and enemies were in reality as human as they are and enjoyed good music too. The flutist said that they both have been in contests that require the extreme of perfectionism or their will be criticisms. He indicated that he had a stress-filled life, but enjoyed doing what he loves. He apparently has two stress relievers: a special friendship and drawing in relating to music. He mentioned why that he let a Japanese lady in the audience hold his flute for him (while he was playing the piccolo upstairs in the back of the church near the huge pipe organ). He had met her when she was a child and later unexpectedly was contacted by her many years later via Internet e-mail. He also demonstrated how he does impressionistic drawing, using both of his hand separately and together, during the final organ solo. The resulting picture showed a building in the background and 4 people in front of it. I think he used black chalk. He does such to give him a rest from music perfectionism. The organist of the church and host of the program gave him a big sketching pad. Did you ever get very stressed about performing anything? I have. One time I even forgot the final chords for Beethoven’s Fantasia piano composition that I had memorized. What do you do to recover from stress? Does perfectionism always have to involve stress? But even after the flutist did the drawing and even as he was speaking about his Japanese lady friend, I did not see any indication that he had peace and joy as Romans 14:17 and Philippians 4:6-7 indicate. And I have seen only a very few true Christian special music performers who had peace and joy. What about you, either in performing or observing of others doing such? 1

Going on to more spiritual aspects of perfectionism: Some preachers teach that true Christians reach perfection or have all of their dreams fulfilled. No human being can become totally perfect in everything he or she thinks, says, or does. We can be perfect for very brief times. Some preachers have had sermons about perfectionism and declare it as a sin. I could understand why, because most of the time the people attempting to be perfect are doing it for selfish reasons, usually to impress others. Also, they are striving humanistically; in other words, being self guided instead of Holy Spirit guided. But can striving to be perfect be God-pleasing? First before I deal with that, think about how is the Bible supposed to be perfect, which makes it different from any other book? In the ways of perfection that come to mind in answering the previous question, using the Bible, how can you learn the perfectionism of God the Father and the Jesus Christ? What should you focus on in the Scriptures? Does God expect perfection before one becomes an adopted child of His? No!!!! Romans makes that perfectly clear. So what does God expect after an individual becomes “born again”. Isn’t sanctification going forward to perfectionism? Yes!!! Christ-likeness, especially in thinking, should be the daily aspiration of each true Christian. Someone said that a true Christian in relation to Jesus Christ should be like the Moon is to the Sun. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence {and} your praiseworthy, noble, {and} good deeds and recognize {and} honor {and} praise {and} glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.” John 8:12 says, “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, ‘I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.’” Ephesians 5:8-18 8 “For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. 9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light {or the Spirit} [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11 Take no part in {and} have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds {and} enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose {and} reprove {and} convict them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of {or} mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed {and} reproved by the light, it is made visible {and} clear; and where everything is visible {and} clear there is light. 14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you {and} give you light. 15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully {and} worthily {and} accurately, not as the unwise {and} witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 2

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Therefore do not be vague {and} thoughtless {and} foolish, but understanding {and} firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled {and} stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Before going on, reread this very important Bible passage and try to make a personal commitment translation of it. How does it relate to Bible and Holy Spirit urged perfectionism? Jesus Christ is 100% perfect. God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also 100% perfect. Most human fathers are far from perfect and that is why so many have the wrong image of God the Father. Jesus Christ said in John 16 that the Holy Spirit was to teach believers all truth and so if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the perfect Book, can’t we think, say, and do perfect things? I believe and know so (from experiences). If true Christians are ambassadors of God, part of God’s New Covenant holy priesthood, and bound for two destinations of no sin, then it should be their common goal to think and do perfectly. This could be thought of as spiritual perfectionism because we love the Godhead and the Bible so much. What about your present situation? Note: In this paper, I decided to use verses from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible so that I don’t have to expound on the carefully chosen Scripture. The thought-provoking questions are another teaching tool I use. Learning by reasoning will most likely be remembered. Would Jesus ask anyone anything that could not be done? Matthew 5:48 Jesus told Jews, “You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of Godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” What kind of perfections are indicated in this verse? John 17:13 Jesus Christ told God the Father about His human disciples, “And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full {and} complete {and} perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].” Why is God’s will perfect and how can you prove it is? Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, {even} the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” 3

What is perfection in church relating? Would the Apostle Paul urge something that is impossible? How can it be done? 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 “God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship {and} participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. But I urge {and} entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony {and} full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions {or} factions {or} divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions {and} judgments.” Do you have any experiences of such divine happening in your life? 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble]; for {My} strength {and} power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) {and show themselves most effective} in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses {and} infirmities, that the strength {and} power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 1 Timothy 1:16 “But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth {and} display all His perfect long-suffering {and} patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.” What perfection is promised and to whom? Hebrews 12:22-24 “But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, and to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in Heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in Heaven) who have been made perfect, and to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better {and} nobler {and} more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].”

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How can one become a perfect teacher of God’s truths then? Consider about such in church and via the Internet. James 3:1-2 “Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard {and} with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. For we all often stumble {and} fall {and} offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], He (or she) is a fully developed character {and} a perfect man (or woman), able to control his (or her) whole body {and} to curb his (or her) entire nature.” What is perfect confidence? When and why will it happen? How can you continue to go towards obtaining such? 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have {and} enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed {and} shrink from Him at His coming. If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father's will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [God].” Finally, skim the article at http://www.biblicaltheism.com/0402beperfect.htm . Hopefully onward towards God-pleasing perfection!!!!!!!

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