WALKING IN PERFECTION

The controversies about the subject of perfection among Christians has been on for ages. 

Some school of thought believe Christians can be perfect, and the other believes it is not possible. But God demanded that Abram be perfect according to Genesis 17:1, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect". The question therefore remains, is it possible for a man to be perfect as read in that text? Emphatically, yes. And, our aim today is to demystify every myth around this subject and know how we can become perfect.

Perfect can be defined as a flawless state of a man where there is no error or mistakes. It is the same as holy. It also means complete, whole, excellent, real, exact, precise and accurate. Therefore, when God says to Abraham, "and be thou perfect" God was saying, "and be thou holy, complete, whole, excellent, real, exact, precise and accurate image of God that you are".

You will agree with me that man was initially created in the perfect image of God. But, man became imperfect, corrupt, lost his identity, and no longer in God's true image and representative since he fell into the deception from Satan at creation.

However, God was ready to fix this by choosing a man through which this could be achieved, and God found Abraham. Hence, the dialogue between Abraham and God is seen in Genesis 17:1.

As Christians on earth today, I can boldly say perfection is not a dream unachievable because Jesus Christ was a perfect man when He walked the surface of the earth as reflected in His word according to John 14:30, "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me". In the same vein, we will struggle so much yet, without any result by applying the tools of self-discipline, self-control and self-righteousness in order to become perfect as demanded by God. The book of Isaiah 64:6 talks more about this truth, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away". This is a straight objection to the idea of self-discipline, self-control and self-righteousness.

Then, How Can I Be Perfect?

The truth is you can not be perfect all by yourself, but you can be made perfect, walking before God.

Let us look at our opening scripture again and find out what was God saying exactly. Genesis 17:1, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect".

If we follow the sequence of the statement made by God in that scripture, then we will understand better what God meant when He said, "and be thou perfect". 

Now, the first thing God said to Abram was, "I am the Almighty God". This was the introduction of the One talking to Abraham, His person, authority, power and sovereignty. 

The next thing God said to Abraham taking from the whole sentence was, "Walk before me". This shows exactly what God wants Abraham to do. It is the mission statement from God to Abraham. And, this was all He asked Abraham to do. 

And, the last thing He said taking from the whole statement was,  "and be thou perfect" I believe it becomes clearer now that this last statement is a consequence, resultant effect, compensation, or a reward of Abraham walking before the Lord.

BUT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK BEFORE THE LORD

God was simply saying to Abraham 

1. I want you closer than ever before

2. I need you for a purpose and to carry out this purpose, you have to forsake your way.

3. From now on, you will need to walk before me because I need to see everything you are doing.

4. I need to do these so that I may be able to guide you, direct you, teach you, rebuke you when you want to go astray, and chastise you if you ever go astray. 

5. And all this I will do so that I may be able to bring out in you a perfect image suitable, fit, worthy to carry out the purpose for which i have chosen you.

HOW DO I WALK BEFORE GOD?

1. Surrender your life to Jesus. Until you are born again, you can not come into the family of God. It takes you to become a member of His family for you to be able to walk before Him.

John 3:17-18, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God".

2. Meditate day and night on the word of God. Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success". As a child of God already walking before Him, it takes obedience to the word of God to keep you on the path of righteousness without getting derailed.

3. Pray always. Luke 22:40, "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation".

4. Get involved in the kingdom service.

Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in the earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen".

Conclusion

Walking before the Lord is the same as walking in intimacy with God which eventually produces walking in perfection. Stop struggling in futility to be perfect, God demands only that you walk in intimacy with Him and you will fulfil your purpose as the original image of God that you are.