I have always been intrigued by Wesley's notion of Christian perfection. When we think of something as being perfect, we think of something that is without fault or faultless. It is a term that, in our humanness, we would struggle to apply to a person, let alone an object.
I remember many years ago hearing an officer describe perfection in this way: He held up a pen and asked if it was perfect. Most responses suggested not, because of all the obvious external flaws. He then asked what was the pen designed to do, to which we responded, "to write". After demonstrating that the pen fulfilled the purpose for which it was made, he declared it to be a perfect pen. This illustration provides a helpful insight into how this idea of Christian perfection can be applied to a redeemed people. We have been created to be in relationship with Jesus Christ and to fulfil His redemptive purposes. When we submit our lives to Christ, pursue Christlikeness and be obedient to His will, then surely this understanding of "perfection" applies, despite our obvious flaws.
In their book, "Authentic Holiness for Ordinary Christians", Geoff & Kalie Webb suggest that "Holy living comes from the love of God poured in believers' hearts. This is not the static perfection associated with the word flawless. Rather believers are called to be blameless." Christian perfection in this context is not about being flawless, but blameless. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 we read that God will keep us "blameless" not "flawless" on this side of heaven. The Webb's further state, "Being blameless in word and action is not a performance target to be achieved, but is the fruit of sanctification, and involves integrity in grace-enabled behaviour."
