Check Out This Perfection. See It and Believe It!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Your vision can be your potential or a problem. For example, when you’re driving, there are some basic principles to follow. For starters, look in the direction you want to go—because you’ll steer toward your gaze. If you look at something by the side of the road, you’ll veer that direction. (That can be a problem!)

As I previously shared, I was veering off the narrow road, away from The Way, toward a mirage of the perfect woman. I was striving on my own for perfection (a.k.a. self-righteousness) to make myself look good and be good, so that my life would be all good. (Do you recognize the lies?)

That kind of off-roading leads to death. Self-righteousness is sin. And the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But God gives us hope in His gift of eternal life in Jesus. That’s the gospel.

“In the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:17).

Striving for self-attained perfection is not living by faith! In fact, how I was living was saying, in effect, “Jesus, Your sacrifice and Your righteousness weren’t really enough. I think I need to do more.”

Here’s the truth:

“But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:12-14).

I can hear Him saying, "It's done. I'm your perfection. You've already been made perfect in Me. So why are you still striving?"

Good question! Why am I still striving? And why are you?

Jesus, please forgive me for not believing that You are enough. Forgive me for thinking that I can do better than what You’ve done for me on the cross! I’m sorry for living a lie. I’m appalled. Holy Spirit, would You please transform my mind? Help the truth to grip my mind and heart so that I live according to Your great grace!

Father, thank You for making me perfect in Your sight through Your Son’s perfect sacrifice. Please give me a heart of gratitude so that I never forget Your sacrifice. Help me to walk in the Spirit by faith, fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart!”

“Be Thou My Vision” was versified by Eleanor Hull.

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