I Am Already Perfect in Christ
Devotional Reading: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Kids, loved it when their parents watch them as they showed off their gifts and talents. It feel so good to them to hear words like: “I’m so proud of you”; “You are so smart”; or “You look so pretty/handsome.” And I believe most of us loved these kind of accolades, especially when it is said by our friends or some one we regard.
But what happens when we stop getting this praises? We all strive to do things well and not make mistakes, especially mistakes others can see. We want to “appear” to have it all together. Look no further than social media to see wonderful pictures with pretty filters to show a “perfect” life. However, that desire to appear to be perfect can be exhausting.
The desire to look perfect is driven by our need to feel valuable and secure. But, ultimately, our value and security come from God. We don’t have to earn them and we don’t have to be perfect to receive them. As the apostle Paul wrote: For by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)
When we appear to be perfect and have it all together, it gives us a false sense of security and value. The truth is that you don’t have to have it all together to be valuable and secure in God’s eyes. God loves you because you are his child. You don’t have to do anything to earn his love.
Jesus is the only perfect person ever to be on the earth. If we’re not careful, we can find ourselves working hard to be something that’s not attainable. We can never be good enough.
Thank you, God, for this truth: I do not need to be perfect. I am already perfect in Christ. We can’t be perfect, but we do have a perfect heavenly Father. He loves us despite our flaws and mistakes. He knows we are not capable of being perfect.
It can be scary and painful to admit that we don’t have it all together. It may cause us to feel insecure or less valuable, but the truth is: Even though it may seem like others are perfect, only Jesus is. I don’t have to earn God’s love; he loves me just for me. God’s power is made perfect in my weakness.
Prayer and Confession
God, help me remember that I don’t need to be perfect to be valuable and secure. My security and value are in you. Amen.
Further Reading: Psalm 139:13-16, Ephesians 2:4-9
