Called to be holy

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14

That is the call; holiness. "You shall be holy, for I am holy" This is not our standard of 'holiness', but God's standard. God is the standard of holiness that we are called to; Perfection is what we are called to(matthew 5:48). Perfection is exactly what we are not. It would seem that perfection is the thing that we are farthest from.
Charles Spurgeon once said, talking about Sin and the total depravity of the human heart;
“One sin can ruin a soul for ever; it is not in the power of the human mind to grasp the infinity of evil that slumbereth in the bowels of one solitary sin.“

It is indeed 'not in the power of the human mind to grasp' the severity of our sin. But, it 'was grace that taught my heart to fear'. With out God sending down his grace upon me, I was, and would still be ignorant to the fact that I was storing up wrath for myself. But, God being rich in mercy, allowed me to see my sin as it really was. And further more he sent his perfect and blameless Son to die on the cross for my transgressions. 'And grace my fears relieved'.

It would seem that perfection is the thing we are farthest from. However, because of Christ's cleansing blood, Those of us who are saved, are now viewed as perfect before the father. But, because we are still in the flesh, we continue to sin. Which results in conviction and hopefully repentance and growth; otherwise known as sanctification. This verse sum's it up perfectly;
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, [1] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18