OK, a quick disclaimer before you think I have an ego the size of South America - yes, I know I'm not perfect in the ordinary sense of the word. But it struck me the other day that when God sees me, he sees me as perfect. What do I mean? Let me try to explain...
Falling Short
It was then that I had one of those sudden 'light bulb' moments. You know the ones... something finally clicks in your mind and you wonder why on earth you'd never thought of that before, it seems so obvious. In fact, probably the majority of you reading this post will no doubt in a moment be rolling your eyes and sighing 'Of course, Catherine, didn't you know that?'. But bear with me please....
In Romans 3 v 23 Paul says that we all "fall short" of God's standards. I don't know why, but for some reason I always pictured a ladder, with me on the ladder and not quite making it to the top...yet. In my mind, therefore, I just had to keep trying... keep climbing...try not to slip down too many rungs.... and perhaps one day, yes one day, I would finally climb to that top rung and get a big pat on the back from God.
But that's not the picture at all!
There is no way that any of us will ever get to the top of that ladder. The Bible says that "None is righteous, no, not one.." (Romans 3v10)
Instead, God helped me to see the picture of the archery target. Now, there is some debate whether this is what St Paul had in mind when he wrote that we have all 'fallen short', but it seems to me to be a much better illustration. We're all shooting arrows. Sometimes the arrows fall quite near the target. Sometimes the arrows fall a long way away. But the point is that they always miss, they always fall short. And there is nothing we can do, no amount of target practice, to get our arrows to hit the bulls eye.
The most common word in the New Testament for sin is 'hamartia', which literally means 'to miss the mark', and therefore to lose and not win the prize in the archery competetion.
However, there is one person who did hit the target....and no it wasn't Robin Hood! It was Jesus, God in human form. Jesus never sinned. His life was complete, beautiful obedience to God the Father.
The Amazing, Humbling Beauty of God's Grace
Now, here's the amazing bit. Jesus came to die so that we could claim that we had shot that arrow that hit the target and not him! And he would take responsibility for all of those arrows that had fallen short and missed the mark.
Yes, if we have put our faith in Jesus, then when God sees us He doesn't see our sins and shortcomings but instead the perfect righteousness of Christ (Hebrews 10v14, 2 Corinthians 5v21). We've won the archery competition! There is a crown waiting for us in Heaven!
Yes, if we have put our faith in Jesus, then when God sees us He doesn't see our sins and shortcomings but instead the perfect righteousness of Christ (Hebrews 10v14, 2 Corinthians 5v21). We've won the archery competition! There is a crown waiting for us in Heaven!
Being Released from Perfectionism
In my 'light bulb' moment I suddenly realised that God already sees me as perfect. Of course He knows how I regularly fail and mess up this side of heaven, but my eternal destiny is sealed - I have already won the prize. And knowing that God already sees me as perfect meant that a huge burden suddenly slipped off my shoulders. I don't have to keep trying to be perfect! I don't have to strive towards perfection! All God is asking of me is to love and obey Him. He doesn't mind if my kitchen floor is a mess, or if I haven't ticked all the homeschooling boxes today.
How to be Perfect
Have you spent the day loving God and loving other people to your best ability today? Well, then, it's been a great day and God is smiling at you! In fact He is singing over you (Zephaniah 3v17). In His eyes, you're perfect!
Abide in Him!
Linking up at: Beholding Glory, Time-Warp Wife and Women Living Well
First of all I am just PRAISING GOD as I am filled with Joy as I am reading your words!!!! At bible study last night 75% of the women attending said one of their biggest struggles is with perfectionism. Today I searched for verses to encourage them with, but wasn't really finding the "right" one. I kinda forgot about it (but God didn't!!!!) and your post caught my eye on Faith Filled Fridays. I have only recently learned about the true Righteousness that is revealed in the gospel, so I was saying AMEN to your post as I read it! Can't wait to share this with my friends! Thank you for following the leading of the Spirit to post this today, just when I needed it! Here is my testimony that I shared today, linking up to faith filled fridays as well! http://seasontheday.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-used-to-fear.html I TRULY look forward to reading more from you!
ReplyDeleteLast fall, I had this same revelation, when I was preparing to speak at a woman's conference. I prayed, "God, what do you see when you look at me." and He whispered into my spirit clearer than anything, "perfection." I could only cry (and then set out with my Bible to figure out what He meant!). It's amazing that through Christ, God chooses to see us as perfect. Blessings to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteCatherine this is SO encouraging! There is so much freedom in knowing that God isn't keeping a tally of our imperfections--He sees us as we were meant to be, perfect in His eyes! I try so often too to "climb the ladder" of faith and only to realize that God is more interested in relationship with me than any kind of duty or attempt at perfection through activity. What a GREAT post!!
ReplyDeleteCarly @ ryandcar.blogspot.com
Thank you Amber, Crystal and Carly for you encouraging comments. I'm so humbled that God spoke to you through my post. I apologise for the delay in replying, but I've been away from my computer for 10 days. I also realised that I forgot to add a couple of references into the post, which I've now done. Blessings to you all!
ReplyDelete