- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,081
So You're Not Perfect - March 04, 2007
Perfection only comes in heaven. But we drive ourselves excessively and exclaim, "You know; I'm a perfectionist." Here is the height of contradiction. We push ourselves to reach perfection in our marriage, on the job, or with our children. When we fail, we excuse ourselves, "After all, I'm only human." We know we cannot reach perfection. In the mean time, we impose no small amount of stress upon ourselves. What is the answer?
The actual reason we are not perfect is sin. We must accept this. "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves" (1 John 1:8). The answer to sin is not more work. More work increases stress. The answer is God's grace. By God's grace we receive new hearts. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). No work is not the answer either. God's grace extends to our desire to do good works. "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).
Here is God's answer to excessive, improper, self-imposed stress. First, we must receive forgiveness for sins. Second, with God's strength, we must accomplish the good works already planned for us.
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: [email protected]; or visit: Word for the Week
Perfection only comes in heaven. But we drive ourselves excessively and exclaim, "You know; I'm a perfectionist." Here is the height of contradiction. We push ourselves to reach perfection in our marriage, on the job, or with our children. When we fail, we excuse ourselves, "After all, I'm only human." We know we cannot reach perfection. In the mean time, we impose no small amount of stress upon ourselves. What is the answer?
The actual reason we are not perfect is sin. We must accept this. "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves" (1 John 1:8). The answer to sin is not more work. More work increases stress. The answer is God's grace. By God's grace we receive new hearts. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). No work is not the answer either. God's grace extends to our desire to do good works. "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).
Here is God's answer to excessive, improper, self-imposed stress. First, we must receive forgiveness for sins. Second, with God's strength, we must accomplish the good works already planned for us.
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: [email protected]; or visit: Word for the Week
:rainbow: :rose:
