As a young man playing sports I strove for perfection. But I was far from perfect. This isn't so with God. He is perfection.
God is perfection, what does this mean? God has in Himself every attribute and characteristic that is excellent and lacks nothing that would be required for Him to have. God's perfection theologically regards His character. Yet, God's perfection practically regards His works. The way in which God uses His characteristics is also perfect. There is nothing that God does that isn't done correctly and perfectly. (The first half of this definition was taken from: Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 218.)
(Definition is taken out of my book: Knowing the God We Proclaim)
God's perfection should be understood in light of His unity and beauty. Be sure to understand these attributes alongside His perfection.
Lacking Nothing
Often when I used to think of perfection I would think of the outcome of perfection. The result that perfection produced, the fruit of it. The fruit produced is inseparable from the tree, however, the fruit is not the tree. The Scriptures declare that a bad tree produces bad fruit and a good tree produces good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18).
Thus, Jesus who is God, was and is and always will be perfect, always has and always will have good fruit. When I speak of good fruit, I mean the fruit that is pleasing to God. There was never a time when Christ did something that was displeasing to God the Father. This is because He is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
David says that God’s way is perfect (Psalm 18:30). His way is only perfect because His Whole Person is perfect. Nothing lacking in God. He is complete. He possesses every quality that is excellent and lacks no quality that would be desirable for Him to have.
God does everything perfectly because He is perfection. He possesses many wonderful attributes, a list of them can be found here: Who is God?
Perfection in Action
We who have been created in the image of God have been given the capacity to exercise the same attributes that God has.
What I mean is that we can love because God is love. We can give mercy because God gives mercy. We can be righteous because God is righteous. So on and so forth.
There is no desirable quality that man has but God doesn't because He is perfection. As noted above the works of God are perfect because He is perfect. He cannot do anything poorly or wrongly. Every action God has done, is doing, and will do is completely perfect. Just as a healthy tree produces healthy fruit, so the perfect Being produces perfect fruit.
This is especially weighty in light of Jesus's command issued in Matthew 4:48,
Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Wow. God who is perfection and does all things perfectly (Psalm 18:30), commands us to be perfect as He is perfect. To be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15).
The Impossible Made Possible
The demand for perfection is impossible for sinful men. Sin dwells in our flesh (Romans 7:18). Jesus knows this and this is why He came to the earth in the first place. To make a way for sinners to be saved. Jesus who is God, was always and will always be perfect. He was sinless and did what the Father willed, perfectly.
Becoming the spotless lamb sacrificed for the sin of the world. How glorious is this truth! What we could not do as sinful men. Jesus did. Now all who seek God, who call upon the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, will be saved. Amazing grace how sweet the sound!
Not only this! God has also given His people who are in Christ, His Spirit. We have been given the Helper to guide us, change us, transform us (John 14:16-21). Now as we walk no longer by the flesh but by the Spirit our fruit changes. As our person changes from darkness to light our fruit goes from bad to good.
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:17-20)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24)
Those who believe in the spotless lamb, Jesus Christ will produce good fruit. Because they walk not by the flesh which produces death. But by the Spirit which produces life and peace (Romans 8:5-11). Thus, producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
God is perfection and His works are perfect. Seek God who has made a way for us to be reconciled to Himself who is perfect.