Perfection

[Cristian_B]

What is human perfection?

Some people say that perfection is when you only do good. Others say that humans are perfect because they have the ability to whether to do good or bad (to have free will). So, I’m a little confused. Can someone clarify what perfection is?

 

[NHInsider]

I have not heard the second position suggested, but I would posit that perfection in a human being would mean to live in perfect conformity to the will of the Creator, which would be to use the gift of free will always to choose rightly.

I think it’s important to add that the Lord did NOT create us with perfect knowledge, and so it is not sinful for us to make a mistake or to be ignorant of or misinformed about something. I say this is important because when I was growing up in Evangelical churches, I did not understand the distinction between sin and error, which can lead to some weird misunderstanding of God’s Word (for example, those who would use Mary’s concern about Jesus’ whereabouts when He stayed behind in the Temple as evidence that she wasn’t without sin . . .)

 

[Julian0404]

We are told by Jesus to “…be perfect as My heavenly Father is perfect…” Paraphrase. So how is God perfect? He forgives those who do not warrant forgiveness. He Loves those who do not return His Love. He seeks out the worst of sinners to save. He offers salvation to everyone.
Can man ever, ever, ever attain that level of perfection? A few saints have, but for most of us it is unlikely, because our human nature is weakened through original sin; but through the Sacrament of Confession we can always, always, get back up and try again.
The one way we can pursue perfection on earth is to be perfect in our record of attending confession, and returning our soul to a state of grace.

 

[James_S_Saint]

“Perfect” means “exact match to the need”.

The perfect man never fails because he never tries anything without first ensuring that what he is going to try is going to do what he intends.

God truly never fails. To be “in the image of God” is to never fail just as God never fails. To sin means to err. The perfect man never sins and thus never errs.

The accomplishment of such a state is obviously not trivial, nor should it be. It requires the things that Jesus did, hence, “Follow me. Do as I teach.”

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

We are all called to perfection. Perfection is fulfilling the Will of God-joining your will to that of God’s Will. Christian perfection is only through the merits of the Passion and Cross of Jesus. Otherwise, we would never be made perfect. We all hope for final perfection where we will dwell in heaven with the beatific vision. We must all work for perfection as much as possible to please the Lord. In all things, we must strive to do the Will of God.

Apocalypse 7
13 And one of the ancients answered, and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? and whence came they?
14 And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.