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Can a Christian be perfect? The answer is “no”. And then - “yes”!

Sometimes we as Christians become disheartened and discouraged because something we do or hear from others makes us realize that we are not who we thought, or what we thought we had overcome. We grieve within ourselves that we did this or that, or said this or that or - yes, we thought things we should not as God’s children. We are stunned when we are reminded we are not as perfect as we thought.

Reality sets in. Then discouragement settles in. To recover we must perform a reality check. Reality is, yes we will never be “perfect” - and, most important, Jesus Christ knows that also. If you are discouraged and even saddened by the realization that you are not perfect when you desperately want to be, there is a solution that will ease you mind and heart, and comfort you continually.

The truth is, every believer in Jesus Christ is already perfect! How? We believed and trusted in Jesus Christ! In Him, you are considered perfect. How can this be? It is true because He has paid for your imperfection on the cross, and it has been applied to you and me! At the same time, there is a phenomena of danger in this wonderful truth.

If you begin to use this freedom in Christ as an excuse to “do as you please”, it can be evidence that perhaps your surrender to Him was not valid, but only a method to ease your conscience while you do as you please with your life. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as He shed blood for us, acts as shield for us, protecting us from condemnation as we grow by the power of the Holy Spirit to be more and more like Him.
This phenomenon is referred to by the Apostle Peter in his last recorded admonition to the readers of his second letter. It is called growing in grace, while we are protected from condemnation if we sin unintentionally:

“But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!” - 2 Peter 3:18

Jesus died before we become perfect. His death is considered a substitute of perfection so that we could grow without being condemned. We repented of past sins when we believed and were baptized as evidence of our belief in Him. Being considered perfect is not a license to do as we please. Unfortunately, some have believed this error. I recall an individual whom I knew long ago who plainly stated that, since his sins were covered, he could then do as he pleased.
If one truly believes in and has surrendered to the calling of God through the Holy Spirit, repented of past sins, and strives not to sin, then Jesus Christ’s sacrifice covers all sins committed subsequently. He strives to overcome by the Holy Spirit, the sin nature that remains. From this point on, one begins to grow in “grace” (the blotting our of sin) and “knowledge” (striving to live righteously by the knowledge that the Holy Spirit develops within).

Yes, a Christian can be perfect. Considered perfect now by the grace of God, until complete perfection is formed within that will enable him to live forever - perfected forevermore.

“ But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, and to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect” - Hebrews 12:22-23

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

The Fulfilling Marriage