God Has Realistic Expectations of You

Someone has said, “A perfectionist is a person who takes great pains and passes them on to others.”

I’m one of those! And today I can only say “I’m a recovering perfectionist.” 

But that’s okay. Because God has realistic expectations. Paul’s letter to the Philippians gives us that assurance. 

Most people consider Paul’s letter to the Philippians the book of joy and contentment. Included in his encouragement, he wrote about his own imperfections and God’s realistic expectations of his earthly children. 

Paul emphasized: 

•We’ll never become perfect on this earth. We’ll always be “in process.” And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6). 

•Seek excellence not perfection. Excellence is doing the best we can with what we already have learned. It means knowing there will always be more we can learn. Perfection means never sinning and is unattainable. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (vss. 9-10). 

•After we become a Christian, we’ll be dependent upon God’s continuing work. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13). 

• Continue to learn. God uses our circumstances to develop more contentment. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need (4:9). 

In addition, to the Corinthians he writes, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18). Seeing God’s glory assists the transformation of our growth in glory (our godliness) even on this earth. 

I hope this is encouraging. Don’t let perfectionism diminish or destroy growth in being satisfied in God’s good gifts. Have confidence and satisfaction that God loves us enough he’ll never give up on us nor stop investing in our lives. 

This post is adapted from Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory