Sifting Towards Perfection! 3

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

The word perfection means something different from what we think it means. Many heartbeats surge when they hear the quote from Matthew 5:48 that says, You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Hopefully, after you read today’s devotion and thought about how and why God commanded us to be perfect, you will realize that perfection is an aspiration process that leads us from one level to another until we become fulfilled in His plan.

The goal of this journey is to find our perfect self, not just a desire for perfection. Before we came to Christ, we were all imperfect and had flaws, but God has given us a way out of them. However, after we accepted God’s grace through faith, then our next step is to move along God’s path toward perfection. Because it is an error to claim God’s salvation and still return to our old ways of doing things or living a life that’s out of line with what God wants us to do.

Immediately we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and make the decision to have a new relationship with God; heaven has channeled our route of perfection to enjoy the full grace we deserve. This channel route can be experienced through a trial of faith, love, truth, forgiveness, harmony, justice, or peace. Every perfect way you take to bring you closer to God must be intentional and purposeful so that you will not lose sight of your true purpose when you are faced with a trial or tempted.

That’s why Apostle James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4. To let you know that perfection is a process, James said in verse 5 (paraphrase)- if anyone lacks the wisdom to make wise decisions in this journey of perfection, they should ask God. You can only ask God when you pray, meditate, and read His word. Proverbs 21:21 says, “He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.”

Prayer:
1. Dear Lord, I thank you that you are with me through every trial of life.
2. Psalm 19:7; Help me, oh Lord, to always meditate and study your word in Jesus’ name. Amen.