Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12 NKJV).
If perfection wasn't possible, the Apostle Paul's prayer in our theme verse would have never been offered, neither would it have been recorded in the bible. Perfection is possible, and there's no place in the scriptures where God suggests otherwise.
Before it was possible for a man to be born again and receive the life of God, Jesus said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48 KJV). Jesus expected and demanded perfection from people who were not born again. God even demanded perfection from Abraham, "...the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1).
The bible also shows us in Genesis 6:9 (NKJV) that, "...Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Being a new creation, the man in Christ, where do you come in in this reality of perfection?
Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us that, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect...." God's work is perfect. Anything that proceeds from Him is perfect. How beautiful what Ephesians 2:10 reveals to us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." As the new creation you are God's work, you proceed from Him, and you're therefore perfect. God's work doesn't have faults.
The scriptures also unveil a reality to us that God birthed us through His Word (James 1:18). And Psalm 18:30 (NIV) says, "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless." You are a product of the perfect and flawless Word of God. You're a perfect and flawless being.
Perfection is your nature. When you got born again, His nature of righteousness was imparted to your spirit. It's now consistent with your nature to live right. You don't struggle to think, act and speak right. All imperfections have been cut off from your life. 1 Peter 1:23 (NKJV) says, "...having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever...." You have the nature and character of the Word; you are now incorruptible; immune to the corruptions of this world.
Having come to the knowledge and understanding of our perfection in Christ, what does God expect from us, therefore? 1 Peter 2:9 (AMPC) reads,
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." Our assignment is to display the perfections of God. You can only display what you have. Glory to God for we're perfect.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (GNT) says, "...He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water, in order to present the church to himself in all its beauty—pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection." This is the Church the Lord Jesus is coming back for; the perfect Church. Therefore, function as a vital member of this body. Let perfection be manifest in all you do; your ministry, family, business, finances and marriage. Walk in the perfection of God's Word.
Confession:
I have the righteousness of God in me; His nature of perfection. I don't struggle to live right. I display the virtues, perfections and excellencies of God always and everywhere. Hallelujah
Further Study:
Genesis 17:1 James 1:4 AMPC, NLT Colossians 4:12 NKJV 1 Corinthians 2:6 Proverbs 30:5 NIV James 1:18 NIV 2 Peter 1:2-4 NKJV Colossians 2:11 NLT Romans 5:17 NKJV