The gospel declares that we are not a perfect people; this is foundational to our understanding. In fact, the gospel unashamedly pronounces our lack of perfection and affirms that our hearts have been soiled with sin. But Christ has died for this and has given us a new heart. We are not the same people. Morality and integrity are the by-products — not of our own effort, but of the work of the Spirit. A man who is above reproach, then, is a man who is united to Christ.
–Matt Chandler
And so, we are not perfect people.
We are unrighteous.
We are soiled with sin.
We have rotten hearts.
But… Jesus died to change all of that!
He has given us new hearts, so that we are changed… transformed, even… into something new.
Now, by being united to Christ,
We have His righteousness.
Our sins have been wiped away to be remembered no more.
Our hearts are becoming more like His each day.
Perfection is knowing Christ and letting Him continue to transform us into that new creation.
That is why He can say to us:
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
The only way this is possible is with Him living in us and through us and making us new.