Am I Perfect Just the Way I Am?

The problem with “almost truths” is that they almost work.

Matthew 5:48 (NIV) | “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Christian Perfection: the process of becoming like Jesus

• Not about never making a mistake
• About purity of intention
• Then, correcting our mistakes

How Do We Partner with God in His Plans to Make Us Perfect?

1. Remove Your Pride

• 1 John 4:18 (NIV) | There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
• Pride always leads to shame
• [We tend to judge ourself based on best intentions and others based on their worst mistakes]

2. Receive God’s Grace

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) | My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
• Grace covers our sin and shame so we can strive for Christ
• [Illustration: God’s grace is like a Magnadoodle that wipes away our sin]

3. Respond with Obedience

• 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV) | In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴ for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
• God will fill you with His love so it can overflow to the world
• [We rarely have a map or action plan, but God wants us to be available in each and every moment]

Recap Series – Remember….

• God is Truth, not my perception
• Self-centeredness pulls us away from God
• We find our completion in Christ
• God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness

Application Point

• What pride do you need to remove?
• What grace do you need to receive?
• What step of obedience do you need to take?

For me, right now, that looks like ____________________________.

Prayer Point: Dear Lord, help me overcome my own sense of needing to be perfect. Give me the conviction that I need to change. Show me the clarity of your heart. Grant me the courage to change so I can be more like Jesus. Amen.

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Reflection Questions:

1. How have you previously fallen into the trap of thinking you, or someone/something else is perfect just the way it is? What is the trap or threat with this kind of thinking?
2. What comes to mind when you read Jesus’ words that we are to be perfect like God in Heaven is perfect?
3. What do you need to do in order to remove your pride? What comforts or concerns you?
4. Receiving God’s grace can seem scary or inadequate. How do you feel about it? How can striving for holy perfection help you in this regard?
5. How are you to respond to God’s call and challenge? What will this mean for your life?