Perfection is a State of Being

Oh, Oh! Today's God Calling message is about PERFECTION. Jesus told us to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. The key word here is "be." All too often we think of perfection as "doing" things perfectly. In fact, I believe Jesus was addressing the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. The attitudes we going into any given situation with is what will "make or break" us-so to speak. The attitudes we carry away with us from that situation have the power to affect our future, either positively or negatively. The message today challenges me to ask myself how Jesus would act in each situation. It cautions against comparing ourselves to one another and urges me to keep Jesus plainly before me as my example instead. That's because in comparing ourselves to one another, we get into big messes. First, perfection is only found in Christ, so comparing oneself to any other standard actually flaws or mars the standard of perfection. Secondly, comparing ourselves to one another puffs up with false pride, self-righteousness, and vanity. It also destroys self-esteem because it minimizes spirit and intention (Jesus judges our hearts) and magnifies imperfection and flaws; our shortcomings and errors are usually twice as large in our own eyes.

The Bible tells us that "there is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus." That means he's got a lot more forgiveness and patience with me than even I have. Thank God! And Thank God His mercies are new each morning. It is another beautiful morning after all, and, if at first, or second, or third you fail, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us. Try, try again. The race is not to the swift but to those who endure; those who keep going. The victory goes to those who finish the race.