Perfection.

It was a standard I believed I needed to achieve in every area of my life as a child.  From grades to social status, trendy outfits to recital performances, perfection ruled my life.

Then, I became an adult, went through a variety of life messes, and realized perfection is a myth this side of heaven. 

It took me many years to realize that there is a vast difference between perfection (a standard the world promotes) and being perfected (a work that God performs).

And, if I may, I’d like to wipe off the glossy veneer on the surface of perfection to reveal it’s dark underside – pride.  They always go hand in hand.

The Pharisees (abrasive and confrontational characters that repeatedly come up in the Gospel stories) are a perfect case study of this. 

These religious men always put their egos first; made outward appearances of most importance; and were obsessed with trapping Jesus. They lived for perfection; were rule keepers to the nth degree; and pride was their driving motive.

Jesus clashed with this self-righteous group more than any other recorded in Scripture.  Matthew 23 details a speech that Jesus gave warning people about the deceptions of the Pharisees and denouncing their arrogant ways.  A few highlights included:

*They don’t practice what they teach. (vs. 3)

*They do everything to be seen by others. (vs. 5)

*They live for social status, titles, and approval. (vs. 6 & 7)

*They focus on the outward appearance. (vs. 27 & 28)

This self-righteous group of men had zero compassion for the hurting, no empathy for the broken, and complete disregard for the wounded.  Pride reigned supreme in their hearts as their outward focus on perfection made it all about them. 

The very opposite of what Jesus stood, lived, and died for.

And, but by the grace of God, we would be just like them, wouldn’t we?  Our sinful disposition always leans towards pride and is bent to act like the Pharisees.  It requires God working internally in us to move us from a place of pride to humility, love, and grace.

Thanks be to God for the work of being perfected! 

David, known as a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) said it simply in Psalm 138, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me…” (vs. 8 NKJV)

David understood he was a work in progress.  And, God made it resoundingly clear that He was looking upon David’s heart not his outward appearance or performance.  “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

What a statement of truth, grace, and hope!  The same God who looked on David’s heart and worked to perfect him in his life is the same God working in us today!

I pray this truth would breathe life into your heart, friend!  We were not made to carry the burden of perfection; walk under the weight of pride; or keep up with the demands of appearances.  Just give all that to Jesus today and let Him perfect that which concerns you.

“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!