God's Holiness Demands that we be Perfect to Relate with Him

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48; see also 2 Corinthians 13:11).

Our Self-Reliant Efforts to be Perfect are Sinful, Pointless, and Problematic

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (Isaiah 64:6).

Perfectionism (Legalism) Appears Wise, but Has No Value

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: `Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'?  These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.  Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:20-23)."

Trust in God to be Made Perfect

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect" (Psalm 18:32).

God's Grace is a Gift, Our Good Works are a Response that He Enables

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Jesus Gives us His Perfection (Righteousness) and Grows us into Perfection (Holiness in Character and Lifestyle)

"Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14).

Rely on God's Perfection as Your Refuge

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him" (Psalm 18:30).

Receive the Beautiful Gift of God's Splendor

"And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord" (Ezekiel 16:14).

Don't Try to Look Ideal, Develop Inner Beauty

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Live Out of Your True/God-created Self, Not an Ideal/Deceitful Self

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body" (Ephesians 4:22-25).

Admit Your Weaknesses to Experience God's Grace and Power

"But he said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Confess Your Sins to Christ's Ambassadors to Be Healed

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (James 5:16).

Look to God's Perfect Law to See Who You're Meant to Be

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:23-25; see also Psalm 19:7).

Live out of Your New Heart that Wants God and His Will, Not out of Obligation

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" (Ezekiel 36:26-27; see also Philippians 2:12-13).

Focus on the Process of Growing into Perfect Holiness

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6; see also Philippians 3:12, 2 Corinthians 7:1).

Don't Procrastinate, Act Now to Enjoy God's Favor

"I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Live in Reality, Avoid "All Good" and "All Bad" Extremes

"Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise - why destroy yourself?  Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool - why die before your time?  It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.  The man who fears God will avoid all extremes" (Ecclesiastes 7:16:18; see also 1 Corinthians 13:6).

Fear God, Not People, Then Discover His Loving Care

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:4-7).

Trust in God's Perfect Love to be Perfected in Love

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

Seek to be Perfectly United with other Christians

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Help Others to Grow into God's Perfection

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ" (Colossians 1:28).