Perfect in Christ

Phil 3:12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

It seems contradictory that Paul says in v 12 he is not perfect, and so in v 15 says he is perfect? How can you be “not perfect” and “perfect” at the same time? The key lies in v 16. Whereto we have already attained. We may not have attained the goal yet. We may not have crossed the finished line. But whereto we have already attained. Or, as far as we have come, we are perfect.
Its like a two year old. He may not drive a car. He may not understand mathematics. He may not speak four languages. But is he perfect? Yes, as far as he has come, he is perfect. He is perfect for a two year old.
We may not have reached all of our potential in Christ. We may not have grown into the ministry he has intended for us yet. But we are perfect as far as we have come.