Be ye therefore perfect

In 3 Nephi 12:48 it says “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” Also in the Bible we find this commandment: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). I have always found this a difficult commandment. I naturally want to live like Christ, but I also know that only He lived a perfect life. So that commandment means I will fail anyway. So why try, I sometimes think. Why is there this trap that can discourage us so much?

But I have now found the answer. It is not our task to be perfectly self-sufficient, that is simply impossible. We can only be perfected through the gospel of Christ. Or as it says in Moroni 10:32: “Ja, kom tot Christus en word vervolmaakt in Hem en onthoud u van alle goddeloosheid; en indien u zich van alle goddeloosheid onthoudt en God liefhebt met al uw macht, verstand en kracht, dan is zijn genade u genoeg, opdat u door zijn genade volmaakt kunt zijn in Christus; en indien u door de genade van God volmaakt bent in Christus, kunt u de macht van God GeensZins verloochenen.” This fundamentally changes the meaning of 'be ye therefore perfect'. It is not a command to become perfect on our own, but an invitation to grow, do our best, and let Christ make up the rest.

Two clear commandments

Moroni 10:32 gives us two important steps to be perfected in Christ:

1. Deny yourselves of all ungodliness.

What does this mean? The word 'ungodly' literally means to live as if there is no God. The commandment calls us to live with a deep awareness that God exists and loves us. His commandments are not restrictions, but a path to liberation. By keeping His commandments, we acknowledge His love and invite His guidance into our lives. This makes it possible to have an eternally happy life and ultimately return to our Heavenly Father.

2. Love God with all your might, mind, and strength.

Loving God means believing in Him, trusting Him, listening to Him, and following His commandments. It is an act of faith and devotion. By loving Him with all our heart, we set aside our sins and weaknesses and focus on His plan for us.

Cooperation with Christ

What makes this commandment so hopeful is that we don't have to do it alone. It is a collaboration between us and Christ. We contribute our part through our efforts, our faith, and our willingness to grow. Christ perfects us through His grace and atonement. Together we form the whole. This interplay – our effort and His grace – makes it possible to grow in perfection step by step.

This thought gives me much peace. The commandment 'be perfect' is not an impossible task, but an achievable goal, because Christ is always willing to help us. The most important thing is that we keep trying. Stumbling is not a problem, as long as we keep getting up and keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

The power of Christ's atonement

Christ's atonement is infinite and available to everyone. It means that no one can have fallen so deeply that he or she is outside the reach of Christ's love. Even when we make mistakes, when we feel lonely, or when others abandon us, Christ remains faithful. He invites us to come to Him again and again, to repent, and to accept His grace.

Furthermore, Christ often sends angels to help us. Sometimes these are heavenly angels, but often they are people around us who encourage us, love us, and help us on our path. This help is a tangible expression of Christ's love and a reminder that we are never alone.

Looking forward with hope

Christ's promise is that through our effort and His grace, we can grow towards perfection. Even when life is difficult, even when we stumble and make mistakes, there is always hope. This certainty makes it worthwhile to continue and to share this message with others.

The command ‘be perfect’ is not about being flawless, but about growing, trying, believing, and trusting in Christ. This perspective fills me with gratitude and joy. It is a beautiful promise that invites us to look towards a happy future, not only for ourselves, but also for everyone willing to follow Christ.