FAITH IS NOT THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION BUT A PERSON
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48, ESV
Theme: The Law stands; perfect is the standard. We need to be examples as we strive to obey and yet recognize our desperate need for grace.
JUSTIFICATION
When I read our verse today, I groaned. God’s only acceptable standard is perfection. It seems like such weight to try and do everything right. Some days I feel strong and so I set out to live rightly only to fall flat on my face followed by feeling unworthy wanting to just give up. I feel this tension to draw close to God and other times to pull away - it's too hard! I see those feelings now as a red flag; my heart has forgotten (temporarily) the gospel and I’m trying to find my own righteousness by trying to be good. So, I preach the gospel to myself again and rest in Christ again. “For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV). What Martin Luther calls “a passive righteousness.” Only when I come to the end of myself and say “I can’t” will I see my need for Jesus. A perfection that is RECEIVED.
SANCTIFICATION
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). Since Christ has sacrificed himself to save us from God’s judgment then we are called to walk in obedience, and it is not optional (Romans 6:1-2). To love God with a desire to obey is evidence that we know Christ or that he knows us.
Yet if we are honest, we know along with God that we continue to sin each day. Otherwise, why would Jesus instruct his believers to pray “[daily] forgive us our debt” or Paul instruct a church in Ephesian 4:32 to “forgive each other.”
A true follower of Christ desires and moves actively toward a more holy life. Even though we are aware that it is only partially accomplished on this side of eternity and only by the power of the Holy Spirit. “For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14, NIV). In other words, right now in this present time we stand before God declared perfect because of Jesus’ sacrifice; yet we still need to grow in active obedience. This process of growth is called sanctification. It too is a gift of grace. An “obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5 ESV). It is though the of power of the Gospel to obey God. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians2:13 ESV) The gospel is not just good news for the unsaved but also for the saved.
Make It Personal: Think about God’s law and requirement of perfection. How does that make you feel? How would you describe your desire to obey and be more holy? The desire to obey, and the grief you feel (not self-pity) toward God when you don’t, is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in you. Again grace! Remembering the gospel will change you from the inside out moving you toward ever-growing obedience. Ponder His grace until you can see His beauty and taste His sweetness. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the [person] who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8, ESV).
Pray: Father, You require perfection and are just in doing so. Yet because of Your great mercy, love and grace, please forgive my sins today (name them). Jesus, You are my perfection please help me pursue You more each day and by the strength of your love be more like You. Help me not to “grow weary” in doing so. (Galatians 6:9)
Read: Philippians 1:6, 3:12-14; Hebrews 11:6, 12:1-2, 14; Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 6:12; 2 Corinthians 7:1
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17, ESV