Be perfect is the plain command of God to us all. (Mt 5:48) But who can be perfect? Is God setting us up for failure?
The only alternative is an arbitrarily imperfect standard, in other words, an acceptable amount of bondage to uncleanness and filth. (2Co 7:1) Besides the obvious difficulty inherent in clearly defining and effectively communicating such a standard, we’d expect it to encourage complacency in our struggle toward freedom. (2Ti 2:25-26)
If we’re concerned that God’s setting us up for failure, perhaps we’re deriving our self-worth and security from our performance. As if we’re hearing, “Be perfect … or I’ll reject you.” In other words, this command will only be a problem if we’re being legalistic, trying to earn God’s love.
God’s love is unconditional; He loves everyone, and His love is what desires our perfection. (2Co 13:9) God wants the best for us, and there’s a big difference between being loved and being accepted and approved. (2Co 5:9) We don’t want to be ashamed before Him when He comes (1Jn 2:28); there’s no amount of sin we’ll be glad to still be hindered by when we stand before Him; we’ll want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:23)
So, knowing we’re already accepted in Christ as God’s beloved children (Ep 1:6), we can focus on improving (Php 3:13), drawing ever closer to God, asking Him to show us where we’re still not meeting the mark (Ps 139:23-24), as God calls us to be completely free of the bondage of sin. (Jn 8:34-36)
And when He shows us a next step in holiness that seems impossible from here, the fact that He’s calling us forward gives us hope that He will accomplish this in us and enable us to get there. (Php 1:6) Then as we strive toward the mark (Php 3:14), He actually does do in us what we could never do on our own. (Co 1:29)
Ultimately, this wisdom of God motivates and empowers us to realize higher levels of holiness, well beyond what we can realistically envision (Ep 3:20-21), which is much better for us and more glorifying to God. (1Pe 1:7) He is able and willing to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Ju 24), we shouldn’t settle for less. (Ep 4:13)