10 Sermon Illustrations on Perfection

A friend called on Michael Angelo, who was finishing a statue. Some time afterwards he called again: the sculptor was still at his work. His friend, looking at the figure, exclaimed, "Have you been idle since I saw you last?"—"By no means," replied the sculptor. "I have re-couched this part, and polished that; I have softened this feature, and brought out this muscle; I have given more expression to this dip, and more energy to this limb."—"Well, well!" said his friend: "all these are trifles."—"It may be so," replied Angelo; "but recollect that trifles make perfection, and that perfection is no trifle." Colton.

And we may not only say, in general terms, that there may be a growth in perfection, but may assert, further, that the thing which is most perfect, if it be susceptible of growth at all, will have the most sure and rapid growth. Which grows most and in the best manner, the flower which is whole and perfect in its incipient state, or that which has a canker in it, or is otherwise injured or defective in some of its parts? Which will grow the most rapidly and symmetrically, the child which is perfect in its infancy, or one which is afflicted with some malformation? Illustrations and facts of this kind seem to make it clear, that, although it is possible for a person who is partially holy to grow in holiness, a person who is entirely holy, although he may be assailed by unfavorable influences outwardly, will grow much more. Upham.

And why should you object to agonize and strive, when the prize is eternal life? It is said of Tasso the poet, that the manuscripts of his "Jerusalem Delivered" were so blotted with innumerable corrections as to be scarcely legible. Another poet, Pope, kept his works in his study from one to two years before he allowed them to be printed. Now if, to secure all the perfection possible to their writings, these poets strove so painfully, how much more ought you to strive for the purity of your heart and the sanctification of your soul?

The process of Christian perfection is like that which a portrait goes through under the hand of an artist. When a man is converted, he is but an outline-sketch of a character which he is to fill up. He first lays in the dead coloring; then comes the work of laying in the colors; and he goes on day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, blending them, and heightening the effect. It is a life's work; and, when he dies, he is still laying in and blending the colors and heightening the effect.

— Beecher

All earthly things to the soul are but as the air to the stone, — can give it no stay till it come to God the centre. As the circle is the perfect figure, because the last point meets in the first, from whence it came, so shall we never come to perfection or satisfaction till the circle of our souls meets in God. The wicked walk the round from one creature to another; but they come not at God: and hence they are so dissatisfied. J. Trapp.