In Need of a Savior

Good Morning!! Today's scripture below, is one most of us would read with confusion. As Christians we know we’re sinners in need of a Savior. So, every Sunday at church, we thank God for His divine intervention through Christ’s death on the cross. Yet the very One sent to die for us seems to be asking us here to be that which we know we can’t,...perfect. Not just really, really good,...but perfect,...in the way God is perfect. 1 Peter 1:15-16, doesn’t use the word “perfect”,...but instead calls believers to “holiness”.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.—Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

Holiness transcends what someone does (or doesn’t do) and ties directly into who God is. As believers, we aren’t necessarily called to be “perfect” by the world’s standards, but instead to reflect God’s nature to others. His goodness, truth, strength, and love. The only way we can accurately reflect God to others is to strive daily to know Him,...to spend more time in His presence,...to meditate on His Word. Unlike any so called self-help approach, the more we focus on God, the less self-focused we become. And the more available we make ourselves to God's transforming grace in our lives.

"Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to His beloved is that of overcoming self."
(St. Francis of Assisi)



Lord we don't want to waste time trying to fix the things we know we can't,...nor do we need to cover them up. Instead we acknowledge them, and turn them over to You. Our perfection is not gained by any actions of our own, but by Your sacrifice and grace. And we thank You. Amen.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,
...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."