NOT PERFECT YET BEING PERFECTED

 Every coach in the world works toward their team’s perfection.  No matter how good they are, they may be better.  They’re not perfect, but in the coach’s success, they are being perfected.  This truth stands in contrast to a bumper sticker that I find irritating.

Bumper sticker proclamations convey truth at times.  Some though  bend

the truth and therefore deceive. One that disturbs me most lately states –“I’m not perfect, just forgiven.”  Here’s why it bothers me so.  The bumper sticker reflects only half the good news of the gospel.   The full message of the gospel is missing.  There is more to our life in Christ than forgiveness.  There's going on to perfection.  Wesley helps us to understand that Christian perfection is not absolute perfection in every area of life (physical, intellectual, etc.).  But he affirms that Christians can be perfected in a special way:  “A perfect Christian is one . . . who loves the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength.  It is purity of intention, dedicating all the life to God.  It is giving all our heart; it is one desire and design ruling all our tempers (dispositions).  It is a renewal of the heart in the whole image of God, the full likeness of Him that created it.”

The bumper sticker may be the testimony of Christians who remain in the bondage of sin.  While continuing to live in sin day to day, they find themselves seeking forgiveness again and again rather than breaking free seeking the blessing of a clean heart and power over every temptation that leads to sin.  A more wholesome testimony might be “I am not perfect, but being perfected."  God the Holy Spirit can and will perfect us more and more by giving us pure hearts, undivided hearts, hearts after the likeness of Christ, hearts cleansed from sin, hearts that remain in daily obedience and intimacy with God, filled with His presence to the measure of the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).

As we are perfected in our hearts, in the fullness of God, walking in holiness, the Apostle Paul’s words then make sense in Ephesians 3: 21 & 22.  Purity of heart makes possible what otherwise is impossible:  “Now, unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory . . . Amen.”

Gracious Father, Jesus our Lord and Savior, Holy Spirit who guides, counsels, comforts, and convicts, Triune God, thank you for the immeasurable gift of your holy love which transforms us into your likeness.   We rejoice in your blessing of holiness.  Now we can love you and others as you love us, as you continue perfecting us in purity of heart, and as we walk with you in the Spirit.  We bow before you in humility knowing that such love and grace is undeserved.  Your loving kindness makes it possible for your Kingdom to come into our hearts and lives so that your will is done now on earth as it is in heaven.  For these mercies we give you thanks and bless your holy name.  Amen.