The Perfect "10"

“Perfect 10” has become a metaphor for the measure of perfection. It is used to describe the perfection in beauty. Some companies incorporate the term in the name of their company, product or event. Ten is used as the measure of a perfect bone marrow match, where ten genetic human leukocyte antigens match.

In the scoring of Olympic gymnastics, the maximum score was a perfect 10 until it was revised after the 2004 Summer Olympics. Many may remember Nadia Comaneci, the first female gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10 score, and Mary Lou Retton, an American female gymnast who scored perfect 10s to win a gold medal.

But what about being perfect in our behavior and character? That is psychologically weighty to think about. We cannot imagine it being humanly possible to be perfect.

Jesus Christ commanded perfection in the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:43–48).

Must we become perfect like God? Can a person really love an enemy? Can Christians really refrain from lashing out in anger against those who attack them? Can they do good to someone who hates them? Yes, this may be extremely difficult, but it is exactly what Jesus Christ commanded us to do—to become perfect.

King David wrestled with this. “I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness” (Psalm 101:2–4). Yet, the record shows that David was not perfect. But he strove to become perfect, and when he sinned, he repented in a heartfelt way.

King David knew that it required more than his own human efforts. He knew that, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul… ” (Psalm 19:7). He knew it required God’s actions:   “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands” (Psalm 138:8). David understood that it required someone who is perfect to make another perfect. “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:32).

Jesus Christ, before His crucifixion, prayed for His disciples and for all disciples who would follow down through history: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one… just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one ” (John 17:20–23).

Can you have a “perfect 10” in your life? Order your free copy of our booklet The Ten Commandments to find out more.