The pursuit of perfection in the Christian life, as exemplified by the apostle Paul, centers on an intimate and practical knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul's deepest desire, as expressed in Philippians 3:10-12, was to know Christ personally, to experience the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings. This striving for perfection is not about mere intellectual understanding but involves a transformative relationship that impacts daily living, bearing fruit and fostering overcoming as one grows closer to Christ. Paul sought to know the power of Christ's resurrection not as an abstract concept but as a lived experience, essential for living a holy life. He recognized that human strength alone could not achieve this; only through the Spirit of God could he truly know Christ and overcome sin daily. This pursuit of holiness reflects a longing to embody the resurrection power in the present, striving to live as a witness of eternal life even now. Additionally, Paul desired to share in Christ's sufferings, not to atone for sin, but to stand in such union with Him that persecutions would draw him closer to his Lord. This fellowship of suffering, achieved through total obedience, is a high price but a necessary part of truly knowing Christ. Such obedience, without compromise, aligns the believer with Christ's example of complete submission to the Father's will. Finally, Paul's goal in striving for perfection was to attain the resurrection from the dead, not out of doubt for his eternal life, but as a desire to live a quality of life now that previews eternal union with God. He pressed on, acknowledging that he had not yet fully attained this goal, but continued to strive toward it with determination. This ongoing effort involves forgetting past hindrances, looking forward to God's future blessings, and persevering with discipline against spiritual opposition, armed with God's truth and righteousness rather than worldly defenses. Through this sanctified ambition, Paul set an example of pressing toward the mark of God's high calling, urging believers to follow Christ with unwavering commitment.

God has given all things needed for life and godliness and made partakers of the divine nature to enable striving for perfection. Striving requires using this nature to overcome human drives such as pride and anger by exerting every spiritual effort to fight fears and turn from self-gratification. The apostle Paul strained to gain Christ and reach the resurrection from the dead without assuming he had already attained it. Reaching perfection means making every effort to conform to the image of His Son as the goal. God works patiently to urge growth toward this goal and will use correction if necessary as shown with Jonah. The pattern established shows reproduction after the God-kind with humans having God-like potential through the divine nature. Conforming involves seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Seeking means striving to attain by turning from sin to righteousness and purifying oneself. Sanctification is the progressive attainment of likeness to God leading to holiness. One must strive with all might to reach for perfection and grow in the image of God even after significant growth.

God used His own work within a finite period as an example to men of accomplishing specific works that lead to His perfection. The correct use of the time God has given as a gift results in something set apart for perfection by the example of His own work. Wasting time leads to pursuing one's own road to perfection and ending in destruction. God moves all men toward His Family as they fulfill their part in the purpose of God while moving His plan to perfection. God made known things at this time to continue the road to the perfection of His Work. The work of God has never changed. The sanctification process and the anointing with oil and the flow of refreshing from the Holy Spirit to the very body of Christ can take place only through unity together with the Father and Son.