Galatians 5:16

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect“? Or has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is big, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather they’re signals for areas where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change.

For instance, during the Sermon on the Mount after Jesus’ teachings on anger, lust, enemies, retaliation and more, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh everyone, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect,” Matthew 5:48.

Rather than Jesus letting us off the hook, He sees the potential for us to be transformed into His likeness through the provision of His Holy Spirit.

It requires we be intentional about knowing Christ’s teachings, being filled with His Spirit and power, and confessing and repenting when we sin. So while it is true that nobody is perfect, it is not an excuse. The believer’s hope and joy is knowing we are being perfected and will one day be perfect as our Lord is perfect.

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us into Your image as we walk by the Holy Spirit.  

Would you like to learn more about walking by the Holy Spirit? Listen to these free podcast teachings: “Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.”

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect“?  Or has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect, except Jesus. However, and this is big, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather they’re signals for areas where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”

Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us as we intentionally walk by Your Spirit.  

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect“?  Or has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is big, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather they’re signals for areas where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in  Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”

Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us as we intentionally walk by Your Spirit.  

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”  Or, has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect!” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is big, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather, they’re signals for where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in  Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”

Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us as we intentionally learn to walk by Your Spirit.  

“’Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is PERFECT.’”     Matthew 5:48

Click to LISTEN.

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”  Or, has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect!” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is a big however, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather, they’re signals for where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in  Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”

Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us when we walk according to His power in us. 

“’Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is PERFECT.’”

LISTEN

Beep Beep. Driving down the highway, my car signaled a warning to me that I had veered from the center of the lane.  I love the beeping feature on my car. What’s interesting though, is I can turn it off. Why would a driver not welcome an alert? Because if they’re veering regularly, that beep can become annoying. When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit becomes a warning signal in our spirit. We can either welcome His alerts or stop them by choosing to not read our Bibles or pray. What if we crash and want to get back in the center lane of His will? We can pray, ask forgiveness, and read the Bible. We can ask Him to be our guide. Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit.” In other words, walk by God’s prompts and alerts. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for “overs” as we learn how to go through our day paying attention to; not ignoring, the warnings of the Holy Spirit. Our heart’s desire is to stay in the center lane of Your will. Teach us. Help us!

Click to listen.

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”  Or, has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect!” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is a big however, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather, they’re signals for where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in  Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”

Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us when we walk according to His power in us. 

“’Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is PERFECT.’”