Pursuit of Perfection

I didn't watch much of the New England Patriots game last night but I did keep up with the score. I have watched ESPN enough this week to know enough about it. It is funny how God uses stupid things like this to remind you of some profound things. There has been a huge target on the back of this team of probably 10 weeks now. Everyone wants to see this team lose because no one likes winners who win that much. (Unless you are on that team.)
I asked our high school boys class this morning this question: does God ask us (Christians) to be perfect?
They were slow to answers at first and then they concluded that we can't be perfect but we should strive for it. I was actually surprised by this answer. We then looked at Philippians 3:12-16. Paul tells us there that he is not yet perfect but he is pressing towards that goal. I personally don't believe that any of us will be perfect while we are here on earth but that should be our goal. When we strive after that goal, it is like we have a target on our back. In John, it tells us that Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy us. Not only do we have to deal with Satan, but we have to deal with others. I don't know about you but I don't like people who think they are perfect.
All of that to say, Paul charges us at the end of the passage above to become mature in our lives. The way we do that is by making wise decisions. We must ask ourselves: Is this the wise thing for me to do (physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, spiritually)?
You can pursue perfection one decision at a time.