By: Juliet Constantine
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
As a young adult - experiencing the bloom of love - I loved to sing “Close Enough To Perfect” by Alabama. Yes, I had mentally created and saved a checklist of what I was looking for in a future spouse; and yes, tall, dark and handsome was definitely listed, among other qualities. But when love began to bloom, I thought that the list wasn’t really important (and tall, dark, and handsome was just a cliché). My quality checklist was well intentioned, and was guided by Christian principles – well most of it. But I had allowed my heart to rule my brain (for a time); hence my love affair with the song, because I considered him “close enough to perfect” for me.
It is true that some qualities on my checklist were met, but some very important ones were still absent in my teenage fantasy. I had come to realize that “close enough to perfect” – as it relates to God’s standard - was just selling myself short and settling for less than the best. Those items on God’s checklist were mandatory: they were not to be rationalized if lasting happiness was my goal.
As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives teaching the principled way to live, He lovingly guided His listeners’ thoughts to the reason behind the true intention of God’s law. He admonished them to “be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect”.
You see, when life began on Planet Earth, all was perfect. We had a perfect world with perfect animals and perfect people with perfect characters. They were created in God’s perfect image. It is to this perfect state – as God is perfect - that Jesus instructed us to strive – close enough to perfect is unacceptable.
One of my favorite Christian authors, in her book (Thoughts from The Mount of Blessings), explained that: “The conditions of eternal life, under grace, are just what they were in Eden--perfect righteousness, harmony with God, perfect conformity to the principles of His law. The standard of character presented in the Old Testament is the same that is presented in the New Testament. This standard is not one to which we cannot attain. In every command or injunction that God gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command. God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace.” (Pg 76)
In striving to please God, I am happy that He helped me to realize the error of my judgment before it was too late. I am happy that I’d allowed Him to choose for me. My hubby and I haven’t yet attained God’s standard of perfection; but with His help, we are both pressing, striving to attain.
Are you spouse hunting? Blood washed, born again Christian men and women seem to be in short supply. But you do not need to settle for less than the best: for less than God’s standard. Close enough to perfect is shortchanging yourself and robbing yourself of the possibilities that could’ve been. Why not allow God to be and make your perfect choice! Do not settle. Close enough is not ideal.
Our Heavenly Father, You are Holy. Please help us to be holy as You are. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
