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Perfection

9/17/2021

2 Comments

 
George Fox believed that Christians could “…come to Adam’s perfection, —into that image of God, that righteousness and holiness, that Adam was in before he fell; to be clean and pure, without sin, as he was.” While I personally reject the idea that humankind is inherently sinful and depraved, I haven’t seen anybody in this life who is sinless. In fact, a person claiming to be spiritually perfect in the twenty first century is possibly suffering from a psychological disorder.

It is true that Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In context, however, Jesus was saying that we should even love enemies and tax collectors. He was really saying, “Be compassionate.”

    Consider these words from the Apostle Paul, probably referring to the epileptic attacks he may have suffered:

    Therefore, in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given
    a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three
    times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said
    to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect
    in weakness.”

Here Paul has Jesus connect human weakness with divine grace. As a Friend recently commented to a group of us, “Good enough is where God’s grace happens.”

“Good enough” is a maxim that can counteract perfectionism, not only in spiritual matters, but in all areas of life. A brilliant doctoral student whose punctuation is not perfect deserves compassion. A conscientious host whose zoom meeting lacks internet stability at least deserves “good enough.” And although I’ve taken fifty years to follow a leading to Quakerism, I know that God’s power is made perfect in my weakness.  

~ Richard Russell
    


2 Comments
Donald Newman Lathrop
9/23/2021 08:37:17 pm

Interesting, again.

I'm not sure I comprehend "God’s power is made perfect in my weakness."

Peace,
Don

Reply
Richard Russell
9/24/2021 06:21:10 am

Hi, Don.

Thanks for your comment.

My weakness was not joining Quakers for almost 50 years because I felt unworthy to be around people whom I thought of as heroic social activists. But God kept reminding me that the Society of Friends was my true spiritual home, not the Catholic Church. God's power finally overcame my reluctance, and I joined OCMM,

Reply



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    ​This blog was set up to post content of interest to Old Chatham Quaker members and attenders. Posts related to one's own personal spiritual journey, reports based on interviews with others, and reflections on Quaker-related topics are welcome. Posts by individuals are personal expressions and do not necessarily reflect those of the Meeting as a whole.
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