In your approach to life, do you think in terms of the IDEAL? What is an IDEAL? It’s the apex or zenith of a process or product. At one time or another, we’ve all pursued the apex of a process: the best dieting process, like Atkins, Keto, or the Carnivore diet; The best exercise process (running, swimming, or biking); or the best learning process (Flexible, Collaborative, or Creative).
When we shop, if we can afford it, we try to purchase the apex of products: the best shoes; the best car; the best house.
So what does your Bible say about pursuing the IDEAL? Is it important to God that we strive for the IDEAL? Well, there is one text in each Testament that sure sound like pursuing the IDEAL in every aspect of our lives - is important to God: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (ECCLESIASTES 9:10) “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (MATTHEW 5:48) The word ‘perfect’ here, comes from the Greek word ‘Teleios’ - which is also translated ‘mature,’ and ‘complete.’ Jesus is telling us here, in the ‘sermon on the mount,’ that we, His followers are to pursue perfection (or the IDEAL) which is God’s own nature.
King David wrote: “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him.” (PSALM 18:30) David also wrote: “For I have taken Your loving-kindness and Your truth as my IDEALS.” (PSALM 26:3 TLB) Are you taking God’s truth & His loving-kindness as your IDEALS?
What is the ‘ideal family’? God told us all in the very beginning: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (GENESIS 2:21-24) To this, Solomon was inspired by God to write: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (PSALM 127:3,4) So the ‘ideal family’ according to God starts with a heterosexual marriage that brings forth many children, who are trained to be sent forth by their parents to bring renown to their family name - even in their enemy’s gate.
And what is the ‘ideal process’ by which one can develop the ‘ideal family’? The apostle Paul was inspired by God to tell us: “ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (EPHESIANS 6:1-4)
What makes an ‘ideal nation’? King David also answers this question: “ Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood—
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style; That our barns may be full, supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; That our oxen may be well laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets. Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” (PSALM 144:11-15) Clearly, from God’s perspective, the ‘ideal nation’ is one in which HE is sovereign (In God we trust) - because then God is going to keep foreigners who might harm such a nation - away! And then the people of such an ‘ideal nation’ will be blessed in everything they set their hands to!
And what is the ‘ideal process’ by which one can develop the ‘ideal nation’? Moses was inspired to write the answer: “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren…” (DEUTERONOMY 4:5-9)
Who or what is the ‘ideal man’? Scripture tells us: “And He (Christ) Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (EPHESIANS 4:11-13)
And what is the ‘ideal process’ by which one can develop into the ‘ideal man’? Let the apostle Paul answer: “Let me add this, dear brothers: You already know how to please God in your daily living, for you know the commands we gave you from the Lord Jesus himself. Now we beg you—yes, we demand of you in the name of the Lord Jesus—that you live more and more closely to that ideal.” (I THESSALONIANS 4:1,2 TLB)
Did you know that Jesus gave His followers 50 commands? It’s true - and you can Google them to get the complete list to study. Commands like: “Repent & believe in the gospel” (MARK 1:14-16); “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (LUKE 9:23); “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (ACTS 20:35); Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (LUKE 12:15); “Take heed and beware of the leaven (false doctrine) of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (MATTHEW 16:6,12); “Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass - and to stand before the Son of Man” (LUKE 21:36). Are you pursuing these ideals that Paul begged Christians of his day to live more & more closely to?
Paul said to Timothy: “Don’t let anyone think little of you because you are young. Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts.” (I TIMOTHY 4:12 TLB)
Let’s pursue the IDEAL through God’s Holy Spirit, becoming a pattern to unbelievers of love, the Faith, and purity of thought!