The other day I was talking to a friend of mine who was wondering about the whole issue of perfection. This is not as prevalent a subject as say a few years ago, but it still rears its head on occasion. Members can get ruffled over whether perfection is possible or not. I think that often the argument disintegrates into one side accusing the other of thinking that they have made perfection, and the other side accusing the other of denigrating obedience, and a another side saying that the argument for or against perfection is tired and irrelevant.

Do Right

Because the term "perfection" brings up so much mess, I like to use another term "obedience." I think that we need to discuss perfection. In addition, we need to stop distorting the position of those on the other side, but finally, we need to just go ahead and do right, because it is right. Whether we are grace filled believers in what some might call the "new theology" or we are the red books (or whatever color they are now) reading traditionalist, there is a place in all of our theologies for obedience.

Who believes in willful known sin? From the most evangelical among us to the most traditional among us, we all agree in setting aside willful known sin. What about Christian growth? From the most liberal to the most evangelical to the most traditional we all agree that Christians should be growing in grace and truth as time goes on.

Go ahead and Argue, But Live Out

Our discussion of perfection is very important theologically and practically, but if we just allowed the Grace of God to help us live into what we already believe then perhaps the evangelical among us will see where he has not fully appropriated the grace of God which will, once taking residence in him, lead him to growth. Perhaps the liberal will find the power to do the work of God and be a witness to the coming kingdom in this world, and perhaps the traditionalist would see God create that generation that will fully deserve the approbation of "keep the commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus."

In short, go ahead and argue over perfection, but wouldn't that discussion be a lot better if we all simply lived what we all have in common belief? If we allowed the grace of God to do its work in us and let that grace do what it will.