Understanding God Is Perfect
http://www.briomag.com/briomagazine/spiritualhealth/a0003815.html
The Bible’s teaching on perfection hasn’t always made sense to me. A verse that drove my perfectionism in the past was Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” I’ve learned from my pastor that the word “perfect” comes from the word tellios, which means to fulfill a purpose.
I’ve realized that God doesn’t expect me to be flawless, spotless or sinless. He doesn’t disapprove of me if I’m not the prettiest girl in the room or if I don’t get the best grade in the class. He expects me to fulfill my purpose, to obey Him the best I know how (even when I don’t want to) and to do what He’s created me to do.
All this time I’ve tried to prove myself to God, my parents, friends and teachers. I’m still learning that my value in God’s eyes isn’t based on performance or outward appearance. I keep forgetting that I’m valuable as a human being, not as a human doing or having. Just being.
Jesus died to take away all of our sins, so we don’t need to nitpick every single flaw. It saddens God to see us criticize those He created in love. He says we’re His dearly beloved, created in His image. I’ve found much comfort in reading the words of Psalm 139, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and letting them sink into my soul. God loves me unconditionally, but sometimes it’s still hard to realize this is true.
I must have been distracted in Sunday school when someone said, “Jesus loves you.” Somehow I distorted the message. God loves you only if you’re perfect and pretty, and God loves you only if everyone else loves you.
Now I’ve got it right. I believe that God sincerely desires each of us to realize that He loves us — imperfections and all. And I know I need to remind myself of this every day.
The Bible’s teaching on perfection hasn’t always made sense to me. A verse that drove my perfectionism in the past was Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” I’ve learned from my pastor that the word “perfect” comes from the word tellios, which means to fulfill a purpose.
I’ve realized that God doesn’t expect me to be flawless, spotless or sinless. He doesn’t disapprove of me if I’m not the prettiest girl in the room or if I don’t get the best grade in the class. He expects me to fulfill my purpose, to obey Him the best I know how (even when I don’t want to) and to do what He’s created me to do.
All this time I’ve tried to prove myself to God, my parents, friends and teachers. I’m still learning that my value in God’s eyes isn’t based on performance or outward appearance. I keep forgetting that I’m valuable as a human being, not as a human doing or having. Just being.
Jesus died to take away all of our sins, so we don’t need to nitpick every single flaw. It saddens God to see us criticize those He created in love. He says we’re His dearly beloved, created in His image. I’ve found much comfort in reading the words of Psalm 139, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and letting them sink into my soul. God loves me unconditionally, but sometimes it’s still hard to realize this is true.
I must have been distracted in Sunday school when someone said, “Jesus loves you.” Somehow I distorted the message. God loves you only if you’re perfect and pretty, and God loves you only if everyone else loves you.
Now I’ve got it right. I believe that God sincerely desires each of us to realize that He loves us — imperfections and all. And I know I need to remind myself of this every day.
posted by Sharilyn at 9:55 PM
3 Comments:
I found this part of the article really stuck out to me. I could relate with it quite a bit, as I am also sometimes too critical of myself (even though I don't know if I would go to the point of saying I think God loves me only if others do too). Maybe you guys are also feeling like I am, and I just wanted to encourage you in saying that God DOES care about you...
because of who you are and how He made you to be.
Yeah if we are just trying to be perfect all the time we will never ever get there by our own strength. Here is a very interesting thread though
http://openairoutreach.proboards52.com/index.cgi?board=doctrinaldiscussion&action=display&thread=1133982060
a lot of people that believe in sinless perfection. That on this earth we can have such victory over sin that we become like christ and don't sin anymore. After all what did John say in the bible "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and _cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness_" 1 John 1:9. I don't know how much i agree with the whole theology that that can be reached but definitely something to think about and strive for.
yeah, I agree. But sometimes I struggle with the thought that God loves my enemy just the same as he loves me, someone who is devoted to him. gaaa! It makes my mind trip over it's self!
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