Therefore you shall be perfect (TELEIOS), just as your Father in heaven is perfect (TELEIOS). Matt 5:48 NKJV

The quest for perfect love is the greatest adventure, the most soul satisfying journey, the most extreme class in the school of the Holy Spirit. Perfect love is an attainable goal, one that will require the greatest dedication on our parts, and the most personal grace and favor on the Holy Spirit’s part. In the school of the Spirit you recognize two realities – you are in a class with literally several billion others, and you have perfectly intimate access to the Teacher, as if you were His only student. Are you with me?

There is no fear in love; but perfect (TELEIOS) love casts out fear…1 John 4:18 NKJV

Let’s seek to define our terms. Let’s define love as to ‘actively seek the benefit of another.’ Shall we test our definition? Let’s use John 3:16. Take the phrase ‘For God so loved the world.’ Could we say, God actively sought the benefit of the world, by sending His only begotten Son? I think so. Our definition implies a decision. We choose by a definite decision to actively seek another’s benefit. There is no emotion in our definition. Emotions always follow decisions.

The word perfect, which is the translation of the word TELEIOS, is not I believe the best translation. The word perfect means to be inherently flawless, or to be refined to a state of flawlessness, according to a single standard. For instance, all diamonds are judged by one single set of standards. The problem with that is that, unlike diamonds, we are all uniquely different, so one single standard can’t apply to all. Certainly Matthew 5:48 sets the highest standard, but it is a standard that is uniquely applied to each of us individually. To whom much is given, much is required. To whom little is given, little is required. Do you understand?

Perhaps the best definition of our word TELEIOS is to be fully matured, or fully completed. Are you ready to become fully matured as you actively seek to benefit others? This place of full maturity in our love for others will cast out fear in our lives!

As I read the context of Matthew 5:48, I saw a phrase that I must point out to you.

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; Matt 5:29 NKJV

I don’t believe this is to be carried out literally, despite what one early Church father was said to have done. I believe it graphically depicts the degree of dedication we are to apply to our quest  to walk in perfect love. What in your life would cause you not to make the decision to seek to benefit another? This is where the grace of the Holy Spirit comes in, personally exposing those things that cause us to live on a lower level than the love of God. Then our dedication to the quest causes us to deny, sacrifice and forsake those things, i.e. to pluck them out. As an example, look here…

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect (TELEIOS), go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt 19:21 NKJV

Not everyone is required to give up everything they have to be perfect, to be prepared to follow Him. But for this young man, Jesus pointed out that this is what he needed to do (when you read about his reaction, you know that Jesus hit the nail on the head). Now the Holy Spirit is an even greater advantage to us than Jesus’ personal presence was to this man, because Jesus could only minister to him this one time, but the Holy Spirit is personally present with us all the time!

By the way, the reference in 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to the perfect (TELEIOS) man of Ephesians 4:13, which is still to be fulfilled in the future. Just never use that verse around me to say that ‘tongues ceased!’

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature (TELEIOS). 1 Cor 14:20 NKJV

It’s interesting that this use of TELEIOS is set in the context of speaking in tongues! One great reason we have so many immature ones, so few who walk in perfect love, is because we have not trained and taught people to pray much in tongues ( tongues will do, on many levels, in us what we cannot do for ourselves ).  Even with many of our intern students, it’s like pulling teeth to get them to pray in tongues one hour a day. If you think an hour is tough, let me remind you that we are told to pray without ceasing…

…Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect (TELEIOS) in Christ Jesus. Col 1:27-28 NKJV

The goal of all ministry is to present every born again one to God as TELEIOS in Christ Jesus. Now, how do you get there?

If you see Matthew 5:48 as a summary verse, then you have to go back and really study all of Matthew Five to get there. Let’s hit just a few practical points to help us become TELEIOS in our love for Him and all that He would have us to love.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matt 5:44 NKJV

Remember, love is a decision. You choose to love your enemies, to bless your cursers, to do good and pray. Praying, in tongues especially, for your enemies is really cool, because it makes their demons go crazy and start to destroy themselves, and it brings in the will of God (picture them or just their name, in your mind, and begin to pray in tongues. That’s how simple it is!). Loving your enemies is showing mercy. The Lord is merciful to those who show mercy, so loving your enemies, actively seeking to benefit them, brings blessing back on you. You grow up in Christ, you are perfected in the love of God, and life is good!

Ask Him RIGHT NOW to lead you into TELEIOS love. Start the quest…it will the most fun, gratifying and rewarding journey of your life!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…