Heb 6:1 – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.

As Christians, we will never achieve complete perfection in thought, word and deed in this life, but we should absolutely aim for it, and as we do we will draw closer to it. Not only is it a good aim to have, we are actually admonished in scripture to do so: Heb 6:1 – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto *perfection*; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Col 1:28 – Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man *perfect* in Christ Jesus.

The problem with giving ourselves license with a “well, nobody’s perfect” mentality, is that it makes us more comfortable with our own failures and shortcomings and we excuse behavior and attitudes that should have long been put behind us. This was the problem the Apostle Paul was addressing when he rebuked the Church at Corinth: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Cor 3:3). Clearly Paul was concerned with the strife and infighting and the fact that so many there were stuck in a continual state of spiritual infancy with all of its conflicts, stumblings, frustrations and failure. They were not enjoying the kind of steadfast walk of righteousness, peace, joy and harmony that God intended for ALL of His people and should be a distinguishing feature. It’s important to understand here that Paul was not establishing a new “category” of believer, i.e The “carnal” Christian, but was simply admonishing them for behaving in a way not consistent with someone who is filled with the Spirit and walking by faith. He was not giving them the “option” of remaining carnal, but exhorting them to grow up and not walk as those who don’t know God.

The main purpose of the five-fold ministry is to bring believers past carnality and on unto perfection as it states in Eph chapter 4: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the *perfecting* of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a *perfect* man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph 4:11-13).

The reason why this growth is so important and crucial for every believer is spelled out in the very next verses: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph 4:14-15).

Not only is this beneficial to us in giving us an abundant life of righteousness, peace and joy, it’s also the only way we can effectively represent Christ in this world and “shine” as lights in a dark place. Only when we are inwardly transformed and changed into His likeness and image and showing forth His attributes in our day to day life will we be able to present what life in Christ really is. Christianity is not just a ticket to heaven to be redeemed at a later date, but Christ IN YOU the hope of glory.