The Perfect Life

Matthew 5:1-12

The ‘perfect life’ here and now, don't we all strive to attain this?

We may have different aspirations, but the inner longing for achieving our idea of perfection in lifestyle, accomplishments and relationships, this is common to us all. 

In one way this desire is good, we were made in the image of God, created to enjoy and thrive in a perfect world and to walk in God’s just ways.

'He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.' Deuteronomy 32:4

But ever since sin entered our world, we live in a fallen world and our pursuits don’t always follow God’s plans and desires for us. 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his disciples to be perfect. 

'Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' Matthew 5:48 

God wants us to strive for perfection, perfection of character and transformed, holy lives that give Him glory.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are merciful, blessed are the peacemakers, the ones who are pure in heart, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and blessed are we if we are willing to suffer because of righteousness. 

This may not sound like a perfect life according to the success standards we have nowadays, but this is what God says a perfect and blessed life looks like.

If you meet someone who claims to be a Christian but displays and desires none of these traits, you may rightly wonder about their salvation, because they do not have the character of kingdom citizens. But if they claim to have mastered these attributes, you may question their honesty. - David Guzik

Do we desire a blessed life? Do we desire to live a holy life?

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' 1 Peter 1:15-16

God's holiness is not an aspect of who he is or what he does; no, God's holiness is the essence of who he is. If you were to ask, "How is the holiness of God revealed?" the only right answer would be, "In everything he does." Everything God thinks, desires, speaks and does is utterly holy in every way. God is holy in every attribute and every action: He is holy in justice. He is holy in love. He is holy in mercy. He is holy in power. He is holy in sovereignty. He is holy in wisdom. He is holy in patience. He is holy in anger. He is holy in grace. He is holy in faithfulness. He is holy in compassion. - Paul Tripp - The Doctrine of Holiness

How can we live a perfect and blessed life here and now?

Anyone who has ever come near God has always been awestricken by His absolute holiness and burdened by their own sinfulness. Understanding the holiness of God makes us recognise we fall short of living the righteousness God requires but through faith in Christ we can approach God’s throne of grace with freedom and confidence.

'… we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.' Hebrews 10:19

'In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.' Ephesians 3:12

Therefore, we take comfort in the righteousness Christ has already achieved for us.

Regardless of our achievements, lifestyle and relationships, we are already blessed. 

We have been cleansed of our sins and we have peace with God.

Through his sacrifice, Christ’s righteousness has been credited to us. 

In one aspect, we are already perfect forever before God.

'For by one sacrifice Jesus has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.' Hebrews 10:14

We continue to pursue righteousness.

‘We are still being made holy.’ God’s work in us is still unfinished and we need to continue to pursue righteousness in every thought and deed.

Inwardly, we need to be renewed day by day.

'So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. 

And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.' 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

We look forward to the righteousness that is yet to come.

'But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.' 2 Peter 3:13

We look forward to the day when clothed with immortality, we will be made perfect, live a perfect life, in a perfect place, in the light and awesome glory and presence of God, the Holy One. 

For this blessed life, here and now we must strive, long and sometimes even suffer.

But our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that one day will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18