MOTIVES FOR PURSUING PERFECTION

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the GLORY of GOD” – 1 Corinthians 10:31.

God is uniquely interested in us having RIGHT MOTIVES for PURSUING PERFECTION: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the GLORY of GOD” (1Cor.10:31). There can be no greater motive for the pursuit of perfection than the chief purpose for the Christian life: the GLORY of GOD! Whatever we do in keeping with our purpose is to bring honour and greater respect to God’s name among humankind. This naturally includes pursuing perfection and excellence, and it is the appropriate starting place for the Christian’s motives. Nothing less than the Glory of God should be the motive for whatever we do and how we do it. Every other consideration must be brought into subjection to this supreme objective.

Redeeming the Time and using or maximizing opportunities also reflect the Pursuit of Perfection: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecc.9:10). The Lord Jesus Christ echoed this same truth: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jh.9:4). The reason for the preacher’s advice in Ecclesiastes is that once death comes we can no longer redeem or use any opportunity for work and service. After death, there will be no working, planning, knowledge or wisdom.

The Pursuit of Perfection is also hinged on the Reality of Eternal Rewards. Here are few illuminating scriptures:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil” (2Cor.5:10).

We are therefore admonished and assured: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding (excelling) in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor.15:58).

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive yhe reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col.3: 23-24).

Our toil in the Lord is never in vain if done in His strength or by the enabling power of His Spirit. We shall all one day stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive back for what we have done while in this life: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each man’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a REWARD. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1Cor.3:11-15).

The consequences of dishonour to the Lord, failure to be a blessing to others, failing to use our opportunities, and the possibility of the loss of rewards form excellent motivations for the pursuit of perfection and excellence.

Ultimately, our Attitude is extremely vital to the Pursuit of Perfection. Our choice of attitude impacts every decision we make on a daily, moment-by-moment basis. It can either fire our hopes and pursuits or it can extinguish them. The value of attitude to our pursuit – values, priorities, objectives – and how we pursue them is apparent in the letter of Paul to the Philippians where the key theme is that of joy or rejoicing in the Lord irrespective of life’s situations or circumstances. While chained daily to a Roman soldier in his abode, Paul wrote an epistle which is literally filled with a positive attitude that clearly fuelled his hopes against all odds. He viewed every happening – pleasant or unpleasant – as enhancing Christ’s proclamation (Phil.1: 12-22). Beloved, are you really pursuing perfection, and Why?