Perfectionism? ...

Thursday, March 17, 2016. What is the role of perfection in Christian faith? Sometimes we might get the impression that faith is about ethics and that we are asked to do good and to behave well - that Christianity basically tries to draw us into a set of rules which are quite constraining our personal freedom. But there could not be a greater misunderstanding of Christian ethics!

The Role of Perfection in Faith …

Let us have a closer look at the text from 1 Peter which we have already read in our last session:

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1)

Yes, we are asked to change. You are asked to change what is inside of you. Here, we are asked not to conform to evil desires. And we cannot ignore that these exist, that we are drawn towards evil things day by day. It is the way we might talk about other people. It is about what we put into the center of our life. If we put money there, or power, we are on a path of darkness! And here, God truly wants us to come into what he calls “light”.

Perfection with Perspective …

In some sense, we are called to perfection. But it is not the perfection of following a set of fixed rules. It is the perfection of pure hearts, the perfection of true love, the perfection of deep joy. It is the perfection of curiosity and fascination in full truthfulness. It is the perfection of trust, deep trust. It is the perfection of grace, as it comes to its completion in Christ Jesus.

There is a lot of change, which God brings into our life. It is change which also means to let things go which we have done all the time in the past. It is about learning new things: learn how to be human as God has made us to be. Learn how to love as God loves. This is the path of perfection, nothing less. It is a perfection with perspective, a perfection which leads to freedom, full and true freedom!

Is it freedom to destroy yourself? You might call it freedom to put yourself into a prison. But then you are there, limited, and not free at all. Christian faith is about the freedom which comes from and through the holy spirit. It is the freedom to say no to evil desires. The freedom to choose good desires. The freedom to love truly. The freedom to tear down the walls between people, between nations, between enemies. These are big words, but yes, where the spirit of God is, there is freedom! (RWEP) ... more texts