Beyond the normal
Going that extra mile for others or unlike others has a name. It is called walking in perfection. Each day as we look at our deficiencies and make adjustments to better them we experience perfection. Now, no one has attained the fullness of being perfect except The Lord, not even the greatest apostle; Paul, who confessed that he was not flawless (Phi3:12). The fact is that we all have failed and have come short of the glory of God (Ro3:23). But, because of our failures we are not licensed to sin like some people have adjusted to. Because there are those who think that just because God forgives us each time; grace, that we do not need to adjust our behaviors and actions, we do!
Matthew 5:46-48
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Now, the definition of perfect is wanting nothing necessary to completeness, in an absolute sense, of God: to make perfect, complete, to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full. In a nut shell it is to take that extra step, go above and beyond the normal. Jesus said that there is no reward to doing what everyone else is doing and at their same level. He told this rich young man that if he wanted to be perfect then he would need to sell all that he had and give it to the poor and take up his cross and follow him (Mt19:21). After this young man told him that he did everything everyone other religious person did in his life, he need to go beyond. In order for perfection to come one needs to on a continual bases rehearse the above and beyond deficiency and James mentions this (1:4) stating that once endurance is perfected then we will come into perfection. We will go beyond the basics (Heb6:1). We are made perfect through Christ, therefore, we are perfect (Heb10:14), that is we are what God was looking for; even with all our deficiencies.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Matthew 19:21
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
James 1:4
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrew 10:14
14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Hebrews 10:14
6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,a] and of faith in God,