Towards Perfection

This was one of those stop what you are doing experiences. I had a revelation about perfection. So I had to stop what I was doing and write these brief comments.

When as was ordained as a Deacon in the North Georgia Conference by Bishop Canon, we were asked this standard question among others. "Are you moving onto perfection?"

I didn't really have a clue what that meant. I don't think of us did. I certainly haven't seen any indication from my colleagues that they did.

Over the years I can't say that I got a handle on what it means.

I have thought of it in terms of behavior. Being a good person because God has touched my life as a believer. Yet, I keep falling short.

This is the revelation I had today. Perfection is being forgiven. I have been aware of forgiveness and being forgiven all my life. I just didn't connect it to perfection.

Following that mini revelation it started expanding. Perfection is living in God's grace. God didn't have to forgive us but did.

Perfection is also about hope. That hope rests in God's saving and gracious act, coming personally to the world as Jesus the Christ.

And perfection is about love, love of God, love of neighbor, and when we fail, the love God has for us whereby His grace is made evident.

And finally, perfection is about service, service to God, service to our fellow human beings, and again should we fail, God's service to us through Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

Perfection then might be summoned up in one word, faith.