Here’s a final post about dealing with a New Year’s desire for perfection.
Remember the definition of a perfectionist? A person who takes great pains…and passes them along to others. Well, I’m good at that. But I’m growing out of it. I wish I could say I’ll be perfect some day, but that “day” will be the day I walk into heaven and behold my Savior’s welcoming arms.
That’s why I’m loving reading the biblical books by Peter. His insights give hope to this struggling pilgrim. He assures us that God isn’t expecting us to be perfect on this earth. And what better person to share that perspective with us? Than the disciple who made so many impulsive mistakes including betraying his Savior on His way to the cross…when Jesus needed his earthly friend the most. Jesus knew it would happen and told Peter but even that knowledge didn’t prevent Peter from making that horrible decision.
All this should both comfort and encourage us. We can be comforted knowing Jesus knows we’ll sin and yet it should encourage us to seek more and more a walk of greater holiness while we remain on this earth. That’s what Peter assures us in his writings. Look at what he says:
I Peter 2:1: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation–if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
2 Peter 1:8: “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
What a comfort that growth is expected within the Christian life. The question is: are we giving ourselves grace to grow and are we giving grace to others to encourage their growth process? A good question to ask, don’t you think?