The Poison of Perfection

Perfection. What does that word really mean?

You will probably find a definition like this if you look it up in a dictionary:

“The condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.”

If we look it up in a biblical dictionary this is what we find:

“The meaning of perfection in the Bible relates to a state of completeness or absolute wholeness. Biblical perfection involves freedom from fault, defect, or shortcoming. In the New Testament, a Greek term for “perfection” can also mean “maturity.” The Bible expresses perfection in at least three different contexts: the perfection of God, the perfection of Christ, and the perfection of humans.”

“God’s children are called to be perfect. This does not mean that humans can obtain the same holy perfection as God, for He alone is set apart in holiness (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 99:9; Exodus 15:11). The call to be perfect is what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1, ESV). As children tend to imitate their parents, God’s children ought to imitate their Lord and reflect His perfection in the way they live.”

I know you’ve heard the term “perfectionist”, and maybe like me, that is something you struggle with. You want to be the best version of yourself all the time, make everyone happy, and never fall short or disappoint others or yourself.Sound familiar? This may not be an area you struggle with, but I believe all of us to some small degree will admit that we have had the feeling of not being or doing enough. That feeling that you could be doing so much more. The feeling of not being “good enough”. And this all comes from the desire to be perfect.

Living with the idea that you can be perfect and live up to this perfect standard you set for yourself will poison your life. That is a weight you are not meant to carry.

“The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.”

-Aiden Wilson Tozer

This is a battle that is not easy to overcome, something I have been learning over the past few months. Maybe it's just me, but I find it so much easier to offer the grace of God to others than I do myself.

I know God died for me and offers His grace to me because He loves me, so why do I find that gift so hard to accept at times in my life?

I believe because I don’t always feel worthy of His grace and love, I feel like I should have to pay God back with perfection. With doing and saying all the right things and never making a mistake. Like somehow that makes me worthy of His love.

I also believe that if you’re not careful this mindset can take over in other areas of your life. The feeling that you must earn the love and grace of others.

I must remind myself that there is nothing in the world I could do to earn the grace and love of God, it is a gift that does not have to be earned or paid back. It’s completely free! “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”

(2 Corinthians 12:9).

God doesn’t expect perfection from us, He knows us better than anyone, He knows we will fail and mess up every day but that doesn’t change His love for us. All God wants is a relationship with us, for us to seek, desire, and love Him. He wants us to grow in who we are in Him.

At times I find myself focusing so much on reflecting God’s love, kindness, and joy that I tend to forget that my life must also reflect His grace, mercy, and forgiveness not just for others, but for me. Because let’s face it, I am far from perfect, and I will fail every single day and fall short of all these perfect goals I set for myself. I cannot expect myself to live up to this perfect version of myself. But I need to remember that God offers me so much grace and love and I hope to show that in my life. In the way, I act, speak, and treat those around me.

I am a broken mess, full of flaws and cracks, but it is the grace and love of God that holds me together and makes me whole in Him!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

God wants you to know that He offers you grace, love, and forgiveness, it doesn’t have to be earned, it is a gift that He offers freely to you.

You are loved!