These Scriptures mention the word "perfect." They do not use a general narrative tone but a requestive and ordering tone. “Perfect” is that the disciples eager for hope, standard and realm of the higher spiritual life. God attracts people who believe in Him by mercy and call some people to participate in the ministry. There is hope to have a higher standard than general followers, that they will follow his completeness and perfection. Surely, we will encounter many trials in this process, yet we must overcome them repeatedly and pursue victory unceasingly in order to grow up to the Christ’s stature.
1. Model is not a perfect man
The model can play an exemplary role and be filled with appealing power. Countries around the world, people from all walks of life, managers usually shape figures and call upon people to follow. In the Bible, it is worth learning and emulation model also numerous (refer to Hebrews 11:1-40); After repentance, Paul went ahead in many aspects of faith and life, and asked for the believers of Corinthian Church. "Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ." (Corinthians 11:1).
No none is perfect. ‘For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) Although the model has huge effect, as a man, he must have a defect. ‘For I have found no works of mine perfected before my God. ”(Rev 3:2) So God ask for people, ‘’I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”(Gen 17:1) Ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (Col 4:12)
If a person sets high goals, he could eventually get a general result. If he sets general goals, he will get lower results. Confucius says: Setting high goals to arouse human power and morale, even when we can not meet the target, it is good to retreat to the second goal. Or to prepare for the best, to take effort that higher goals will still achieve goals. Learning is a long and arduous process. Only through broadening one’s the field of vision, setting high goals, and making oneself satisfactory will results be achieved.
2. Build the complete standard
Chinese ancient have a higher standard in behavior. Emperor Taizong of Tang said in the Imperial Norms: Aim high or you'll fall below the average. Confucius taught that Aim high or you'll fall below the average; aim for the average, and you'll certainly fail; Aim low you will get nothing.
What is the perfect standard for us ? Perfect means entire, consummate, intact, one hundred percent, whole, etc. God likes a perfect man. “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.” (Samuel 22:26) Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation, and he walked with God. (Gen 6:9) “God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” (Sam 22:33) “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” (Psa 101:6) “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” (Psa 119:1)
Jesus said: You therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mat 5:48) Paul said, ”Be you therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Eph 5:1) Paul’s words and deeds may be called no blame. “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.” (The 3:7) “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (Cor 11:1) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phi 3:12) The one who follows God put the impeccable God as their surpreme goal, that is to compare everything to God, to find the gap and go after Him, and to make progress in intelligence, confidence, and life.
Actually, the supreme standards building is not to give up one’s virtue, but many disciples and adherents appeared abundant in the life of God. Just as Paul said, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Phi 3:17) “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” (The 1:6) We can see that imitating the virtue of God’s servants is walking in the way of God.
Imitating the perfect God
The adherents tend to as follows according to the Bible: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1) “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” (Heb 5:12) So we just learn from God, set up perfect standards, and we will leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on unto perfection
1. Imitate the love of God
“God is love.”(John 4:8) “His love live forever. no one has ever seen God;if we love ne another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (John 1-4;8) “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (John 1-4;17) ”The deepest love of God manifested in selfness and sacrifice. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die---but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8). The one who follows God should imitate Jesus in selflessness and sacrifice.
2. Imitate God in ministry
When Jesus talked about the relation with father:” I in them and you in me,that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:23）Trinity god unite in redemption perfectly. left the good trace to people had followed Jesus. As Paul said “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with another, in accord with Christ Jesus. (Rom 15:5）Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with on another,live in peace;and the God of love and peace will be with you. (Cor 13:11）
3 Imitate God’s mind.
People who follow God, their minds are never self-centered. You must “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” ( Philippians 2:5）
4 Imitate the confidence of God
“Having loved his own who were in the world , he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) “You may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. “(Hebrews 6:12)
5 Imitate the good things of God.
A perfect man is happy to do good things, ”If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,follow me.” (Matthew 19:21) “Upright man turns away from evil. As obedient children ,do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.” (Pet 1:14)
6 Imitate the behavior of God
God is justice and righteousness. “The rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfuless and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deu 32:4)
7 Imitate God’s words
This God—“His way is perfect; the word of the lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (Sam 22:31). ’’Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.” (Cor 2:6) “For we all stumble in many ways and if anyone does not in what says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2)
All in all, society has its measured standards and people have conduct standards. Churches have their own code. Believers have the norm of faith. Followers should not only study and emulate what is truthful, good and beautiful in society but also refuse evil. Studying the role model, believers from the Bible and following their footsteps, which doesn't mean to use the weak people to defend ourselves. In faith and in our social lives, only Jesus has the highest standard to control everything and can leave the beginning of the Christian truth. May God bless all the people who are following the example of Jesus and striving to be more like Him.
