It's Not About Perfection

As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say. “This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” – Genesis 12:11-13

By faith Abraham, when called to go to place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. – Hebrews 11:8-12

Abram was a father of many nations. He was the father of faith. He wasn’t perfect – far from it. Abram was a liar and a deceiver. He lied about his wife being his sister. Even though he was a flawed man, he was full of faith. His faith was what made him a man of God. Abram had total faith in God. He was prepared to offer his only son as a sacrifice. He laid his son, Isaac out on an altar – prepared to slaughter him. Deep down, Abram trusted that God will provide the sacrifice. He believed that even if he had to offer his son to God, the same God will raise his son from the dead. His faith was invaluable. The more he walked with God, the more Abram trusted. His trust in God is an example we all can follow.

God is not looking for perfection as the world looks for it. He is more concerned about the state of our hearts and the motives behind our action. Contrary to popular believe, God is an understanding Father. He knows about all the issues of life. He walked the earth for over 3 decades in the form of His Son. No temptation or struggle we face is news to Him. He wants to be a part of our everyday lives. So you don’t have to be perfect – you just have to love and trust God and let Him work in you to bring about the changes in your life that He sees fit. Your heart must be in the right place. We’ve all heard the saying “Rome was not built in a day”. Transformation takes some time. We are not immediately full of faith the day we give our lives to Christ. We have to walk daily in His light in order to grow. God is patient – He wants to walk with us as we grow. He is there to pick us up along the way when we stumble and fall.

If you are struggling with perfection, here are a few points to consider:

1. You can never be perfect. The most we can expect out of you is 80%. Only God is a 100% so stop hitting yourself over the head with a stick.
2. Any righteousness that you display does not impress God. That is why the concept that being a “good person” will get one to heaven is laughable. God is not interested in your effort to be “good”; he is looking into your heart. Is your heart one that is filled with faith? Are you focused with pleasing God?
3. Transformation will take time. Don’t crucify yourself over your mistakes. Confess them to God, make amends and restitution were possible and move on with your life.
4. A Christian life just like any beautiful garden, it requires maintenance. Even the most beautiful gardens have weeds and the gardener has to keep an eye on his garden just as we must be vigilant about our hearts and minds.