How do we Measure

Over the past few posts I have referred to “perfection” or “sin”. What does perfection mean?

Should we measure “perfection” in terms of the “absence of mistakes?” While some actions can certainly be characterized as “mistakes,” often the determination is more subjective, in part because the benchmarks are fluid and fuzzy. The Bible acknowledges the fall of humanity but the call to perfection is a reminder of the higher standards to be strived for.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

The Bible speaks of moral integrity, fealty to God and generally bettering one’s character. Our expectations of today have evolved to consider a more inclusive set of goals, such as moral and ethical benchmarks, intellectual benchmarks, emotional, physical, social, spiritual, psychological, economic, skills-based or cultural benchmarks.

This broader definition embraces today’s understanding of a more perfect society by considering the multiple points of view contained within a multi-cultural, global community. This elaboration on the definition helps us understand why we might re-evaluate past successes as failures; why we re-interpret and come to different conclusions. More factors are weighed.