Christian Perfection: A Relationship, Not an Achievement
Attribution: This post reflects on Oswald Chambers’ devotional for today from My Utmost for His Highest.
The idea of perfection can often become a stumbling block in the Christian life. We might assume God is working to make us paragons of virtue, pristine examples of holiness to inspire others. Yet, as Oswald Chambers poignantly reminds us, God is not interested in making us specimens of perfection for display. His ultimate purpose is relational: to bring us into a deep, abiding oneness with Him, as Jesus prayed in John 17:22: “That they may be one as we are one.”
A Misguided Pursuit
If we misunderstand Christian perfection as human perfection, our focus may drift toward pursuing visible evidence of God’s work—success, discipline, or even good health. Yet this mindset can subtly shift our devotion away from God Himself toward the outcomes we associate with Him. Chambers reminds us of the staggering truth that “It was God’s will to bruise His own Son; why shouldn’t He bruise you?” True Christian maturity is not about achieving a flawless life but about trusting God, even in difficulty, sickness, or loss.
Perfection in the Christian sense is not consistency to an ideal but a deep, vital relationship with Jesus Christ. Through this relationship, God can work through the "irrelevancies" of our human experience to draw others to Himself.
God’s Purpose: Relationship, Not Display
God's work in our lives is not about crafting us into trophies of faith for admiration. If we live with this misunderstanding, we might find ourselves preoccupied with self-assessment or comparison with others who seem to lead outwardly "perfect" lives. Chambers warns us that such comparisons can mislead us into thinking human effort is sufficient to achieve God’s standard. In reality, only God’s grace can bring us into the perfection of relationship with Him.
When our hearts are surrendered to God, we allow Him to shape us for His purposes. It is not about achieving a life others might envy; it is about living in such a way that others long to know the God we serve.
Living in Perfect Relation to God
Christian perfection is about being fully aligned with God, moment by moment. This alignment isn’t marked by external achievements but by an inner surrender that trusts God to work in and through us for His glory. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on.” This pressing on is not about striving for human accomplishment but about deepening our relationship with Christ.
As we live in this relationship, God transforms our lives into a testimony that points others to Him—not to admire us, but to long for the same connection with their Creator.
Closing Reflection
Lord, I thank You for the relationship You invite me into—a life of closeness with You, not based on my perfection but on Your grace. May my life be a vessel that draws others to long for You. Thank You for teaching me to walk in surrender, trusting Your purposes, and living in a way that reflects Your love to those around me. Amen.