You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. —The Elder in Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Hopefully you know you’ll never slip past zero—there is no loss of salvation. But too many of us struggle to believe we please God. After all, God is perfect, and He wants perfection (we think); so it must be our job to get there. To measure our success, we place ourselves somewhere along the following 0-10 scale (0=forgiven, 10=perfect).
Here’s how we think: Volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or hosting a small group moves us toward +10. But as soon as we gossip, curse, or find ourselves on pornographic websites, we slide back down. Is there any way to remain stationary on this scale?
“Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them…” (Hebrews 10:8, 10)
The position of perfection isn’t the result of our obedience or victory over sin. It’s the result of Christ’s sacrifice for us—a “once for all” sacrifice.
We were made holy, permanently. In Hebrews, the word perfection is used to speak of someone finishing a race. It means complete and fully adequate to enter His presence.
God doesn’t declare people who are unholy to be holy. That would be lying.
Rather, God makes us holy, a perfect 10. There is no scale to climb onto that leads to His presence. You’re already there.
Jesus, I see myself like an old home—so many projects to take on. Give me Your eyes to see myself as finished… Amen.