Is God Perfect? Why Did He Create An Imperfect World?

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Published by Kimberly Wall

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Co-Founder, Disciple Group Leader, Author

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The Bible is clear in many places that God is perfect. From the very beginning of creation, He declared, “It is good” (Genesis 1:31). The Psalms affirm that His works are righteous and His ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30).

In Deuteronomy, we read that God’s righteousness never fails (Deuteronomy 32:4). Even the New Testament is filled with references to understanding God’s nature[1]. Jesus Christ tells us that God is perfect, and Paul proclaims that God’s works are just and true (Romans 3:4).

Is God perfect? It is clear from these passages that God’s absolute perfection is not just a concept or an idea but something that is deeply embedded in His character. His perfect nature goes beyond simple attributes of goodness and righteousness; it encompasses His entire being.

Key Takeaways

  • God’s perfection is inherent to His nature, manifesting in His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, and is affirmed through biblical scripture and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • The concept of God’s perfection implies His flawless character, exemplified through His actions and interactions, demonstrating unwavering goodness, justice, and love.
  • Recognizing God’s perfection offers comfort and assurance, as it represents a constant, unchanging source of goodness and guidance amidst the imperfections of the world.

Is God Perfect?

Yes, God is perfect. This idea stems from the Judeo-Christian belief that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. In other words, God has unlimited power, knowledge, and presence over all creation. When asked to describe God, He is described as being pure goodness, devoid of any evil or flaw.

The most fundamental belief in Christianity is that everything comes from God, who created the universe out of nothing. According to Christian doctrine, it was through His perfection that He brought forth a perfect world. As such, by definition, God must be perfect since he is the source of all things good.

A further testament to this view can be found in Jesus Christ’s life and teachings, which show a perfect example of God’s will. He was perfect in His love and mercy, never wavering in His faithfulness to the Father. He demonstrated that it is indeed possible to be completely devoted to God, even while living in an imperfect world.

God’s Word also provides evidence for God’s perfection since it contains hundreds of examples demonstrating his omniscience and omnipotence. Throughout its pages, we find numerous stories where God intervenes directly or indirectly in human affairs or makes impossible things happen. This reaffirms the idea that he has absolute control over all situations and can influence any event for the good of mankind.

What Does It Mean To Call God Perfect?

When we call God “perfect,” it is a statement of faith that expresses the religious belief that He is without error or flaw. It means to recognize Him as the supreme being, who has always been and will always be good and just. It implies that He knows what is best for us and our situation, even when we don’t understand why something happens.

The idea that God is perfect comes from the Bible, which tells us God made everything in His image (Genesis 1:27). All creation reflects His divine perfection. We can sense His presence around us—in nature, people’s lives, art, and music—and this speaks to God’s perfection. In fact, it’s these seemingly small moments that show us what perfection really is.

The Bible also tells us that things have gone wrong in the world due to our own human mistakes and disobedience. But even with this brokenness, God’s perfect love still shines. When we call God perfect, it means acknowledging His power to mend what has been torn apart. This is seen in miraculous healing stories or when a person changes course after a period of darkness.

Calling God perfect goes beyond simply having faith in Him. It means understanding that He is close enough to see our struggles but far enough away so we can learn from them and grow as individuals. It means recognizing His mercy and grace and trusting Him even when we don’t understand why things happen the way they do. When we call God perfect, it shows we strive to live in His divine plan and understand that He is the source of all good things.

god in white robes sitting on a throne and is god perfect

Is It Possible For God To Be Imperfect?

The Bible never states that God is imperfect, but it does explain many of His attributes that would suggest He is perfect. In the Old Testament, God is described as being holy and perfect: “You are to be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Christ Himself said that God is perfect and cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13). Additionally, Deuteronomy 32:4 reads: “He who is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice; a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is he.”

In other passages of Scripture, it appears that God allows humans to make mistakes and still loves them unconditionally. This shows that while He is perfect and never makes mistakes, He still loves us despite our imperfections. Furthermore, throughout the Bible, we see instances where God uses people’s weaknesses for His own plans and purposes.

For example, when Moses tried to talk himself out of his calling from God, some might argue that this was an example of human weakness or imperfection. Yet, God used this incident to showcase His power and strength in an amazing victory story. This is one example of many that show us that God can use our imperfections for His plans and purposes.

In What Sense God Is Perfect?

God is perfect in many ways. He is perfect in holiness and purity, justice and goodness, mercy, and love. He is perfect in knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power. His perfection means He is without fault or defect; He never makes mistakes or fails to do what He promises. His will and Word are always authentic and reliable.

God’s perfection also means that He does not change. God cannot be improved upon because there is nothing better or more significant than Him (Malachi 3:6). Therefore, when it comes to divine attributes such as justice, mercy, and love, God’s standards for them are perfect for us as well. In fact, the Bible tells us that “all his works are perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

We also see God’s perfect attributes in His interactions with His people, and God proves to be true. He is a loving heavenly Father who cares for each of us, and He is faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him. He gives us grace and mercy despite our sins and provides everything we need to do what He has called us to do.

old man in pink robes under cherry blossoms and is god perfect

Summary

God is perfect in every way. This truth is evident in the Bible, in Jesus Christ’s life and teachings, and even in our everyday lives. His perfection goes beyond simply being good or righteous; it encompasses His entire being.

Through His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence through the Holy Spirit, we can trust that our faithful God will have a plan for whatever situation arises. His perfect love never fails, and He is always faithful to us. Though everything else in this world may be imperfect and broken, we can take comfort in the fact that God’s perfection will remain constant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Bible Say God Is Perfect?

Yes, the Bible does say God is perfect. Numerous passages throughout the scripture, such as Psalm 18:30 and Matthew 5:48, attest to the perfection of God, describing Him as flawless in power, wisdom, and goodness.

Is God The Perfect Being?

Yes, God is the perfect being. Christian doctrine portrays God as the epitome of perfection, embodying omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, and being inherently devoid of any flaw or imperfection.

Is God’s Word Perfect?

Yes, God’s word is perfect. The Bible reflects this belief, presenting God’s word as flawless, true, and just, serving as a reliable and unerring guide for faith and conduct.

How Do We Know God Is Infinitely Perfect?

We know God is infinitely perfect through the teachings of the Bible and the manifestations of His nature. Scriptures and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ demonstrate God’s boundless perfection in attributes like goodness, justice, and love.

Where Does It Say God Is Perfect?

It is stated that God is perfect in various places within the Bible. For instance, Matthew 5:48 directly quotes Jesus Christ saying, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” explicitly affirming the perfection of God.

1 thought on “Is God Perfect? Why Did He Create An Imperfect World?”

  1. When I cross the river, I will know as I am known … the many questions of this life (and more, much – much more) will be revealed. Like Paul, I know that I am wretched and undeserving. The love of God has become the source of my strength and the strength of my life. As a senior, well stricken in years, I am on my way home …” jes goin home”; – and what will it be beyond the river for me?

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