  The word perfection has baffled many people, including myself. However, in my search for understanding of this word, I came across an interesting study. A group of psychologists and linguistic professors, engaged in a quest to first analyze the word perfect, and then to trace back its original meaning. They were first anxious to find the effects this word had upon us, as a people. It was found that the word perfection has an entirely different meaning today than it did centuries ago. For instance, Webster interprets perfect or perfection as flawless, exact, absolute, and impeccable. Now with this idea, one would become discouraged reading in Matthew 5:48, where we are commanded to be "perfect even as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect." Without the full understanding of the word, it is frustrating and even discouraging, when we as humans make all kinds of errors and have numerous faults and defects. In the linguistic professors' opinions, the word perfect has been distorted. The accurate meaning of the word, taken first from the Greek language "connotes being right or mature." However, a further study reflects other words such as wholeness, fruitfulness, goodness, contentment and completeness. So how did this word take on such a rigid end to some, and to others, an impossible or unattainable goal. The psychologists blame the industrial revolution. Meaning, they claim that before the revolution, most everyone was engaged in cottage industries. It was thought unique to have every product slightly different. Even a mistake was cherished, because of the way it was handcrafted, and the time and effort given. However, when the conveyor belt came into play, and products were rolled out on an assembly line, a uniform and precise measurement had to be met. Therefore, if something was flawed or had a nick or scratch on it, or wasn't quite up to standards, it was rejected and considered an outcast, and even devalued. We as a people, according to the psychologists, have become similar to these products. We feel like outcasts, rejected and devalued, when we are not measuring up to certain standards set by organizations and society itself. However, the kind of perfection I believe God speaks of, is not that of being flawless or without error (even though this is the eventual outcome), but that of being fulfilled, having a fullness of joy, and to eventually find completeness even as He has. This perception takes the negative out of the word, and puts it into a positive expression. It is by our distorted mindset, and even our perfectionism or obsessiveness, that we lose the true or "real underpinnings of our existence," and identity. This problem causes us to grovel and wallow in our mistakes and shortcomings. In my opinion, the reason most of us are trying for perfection, is because we feel there is something greater in us which motivates us to try and better ourselves when we fall short (see Psalms 82:6; also see John 10:33; 17:11). We all know that it is impossible to live a sinless life. That's why a Savior was provided for us before the foundation of the world. He came to save and exalt us, (one is a gift, the other is earned) and to show us the way. Our Savior Jesus Christ also gave us a charge to be "even as He is." In order to accomplish this, He organized his Church (see Ephesians 4:11-14). Christ's desire is to help us become "whole, complete, upright and just," so He can bring us back to the presence of the Father. Our goal in this life is to know the qualities and attributes of God the Father and Jesus Christ. This puts a whole new light on the word "perfection." It also gives us hope that we can be moldable and perfectable. We are all unique (like those products of cottage industries), but this life is a perfection process, which allows each of us through our free agency, to become complete and fulfilled. Jesus Christ has given us a certain standard by which we can measure ourselves, but it requires sacrifice, discipline, and at times utter and absolute exactness. It's all up to us as individuals. Therefore, as we enjoy the "goodness" and "excellence" that comes from perfecting our lives, we really do become Heavenly beings by "doing" those things required of us. The more accurate knowledge we receive about God through our diligence and obedience, the more light and understanding we will obtain as we make intelligent choices throughout our lives. The more we know the attributes and qualities of the Father and the Son, the more we want to overcome and become like them, thereby completely and accurately fulfilling God's great plan to become perfect (see John 17:3). ~ Jay W. Osmond  Website Designed and Maintained by Terri Shoemaker ~ © 2004 Jay Osmond - All Rights Reserved |