I was thinking of “God stuff” while I was cooking the other day – contemplating perfectionism. I tend to try and do things with excellence (aka perfectionistic tendencies), but I understand that it can be a little overbearing for others in my home who don’t have the same mindset.
I suddenly heard the Holy Spirit say “Perfection is good, but grace is better.” That’s what led me to do this Bible study on grace and perfection.
While they might seem contrasting, understanding their relationship can transform how we live our Christian lives. Let’s dive into what these terms mean and how they interact in a believer’s walk.
Perfection is good, but grace is better. Share on X
What is Perfection?
Perfection refers to a state of being flawless or without any faults. In a Christian context, it can be understood in several ways:
Divine Perfection
This is an attribute of God. God is perfect, meaning He is completely holy, just, loving, and without any imperfection.
Human Perfection
In the Bible, Jesus calls believers to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This doesn’t mean achieving flawlessness on our own but striving for completeness and maturity in faith and love.
Characteristics of Perfection:
- Flawlessness
- Completeness
- Without sin or defect
Challenges with Perfection:
- It can lead to a legalistic mindset where individuals strive to meet impossible standards.
- It can cause feelings of inadequacy or failure when one inevitably falls short.
What is Grace?
Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. It is a foundational concept in Christianity and is crucial for understanding salvation and for a Christian life.
Key Aspects of Grace:
- Unmerited Favor: Grace is given freely by God, not because we deserve it, but because of His love and mercy.
- Salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned by our own efforts.
- Empowerment: Grace empowers believers to live a godly life. It is not just about forgiveness but also about enabling us to grow and mature in our faith.
Grace Towards One Another
Grace isn’t just something we receive from God; it’s also something we extend to others. Just as God shows us grace, we are called to show grace to those around us.
- Forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
- Patience and Understanding: Colossians 3:13 encourages us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This means being patient and understanding, recognizing that everyone is on their own journey.
- Love in Action: 1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” By serving others, we are showing God’s grace in action.
Characteristics of Grace:
- Forgiveness and mercy
- Unconditional love
- Empowerment to live righteously
Benefits of Grace:
- Relief from the pressure to be perfect
- Assurance of God’s love despite our flaws
- Encouragement to strive for holiness out of love, not obligation
The Relationship Between Grace and Perfection
In Christianity, grace and perfection are intertwined but distinct.
- Grace covers our imperfections: We are not perfect, but God’s grace forgives our sins and helps us to grow in righteousness.
- Grace leads to transformation: As we receive God’s grace, it transforms us and helps us to become more like Christ. This process is called sanctification, where we gradually grow towards spiritual maturity and completeness.
- Perfection in love: The call to be perfect, as mentioned in Matthew 5:48, is a call to perfect love. Through grace, we learn to love God and others more fully, striving for a perfect love that reflects God’s own love.
Real Life Application:
- Embrace grace: Accept that you are loved and forgiven by God, even when you fall short. Jesus was perfect so you don’t have to be.
- Strive for maturity: Allow grace to motivate you towards spiritual growth and maturity, not out of a need to be flawless, but out of a desire to reflect God’s love and character.
- Live out love: Let the grace you receive overflow into your relationships, striving to love others as God loves you.
Understanding Grace and Perfection
By understanding and embracing both grace and perfection in the right way, we can navigate our walk with the Lord with a balance of striving for holiness while resting in God’s unmerited favor. The things that I struggle with always seem to center around to balance. How about you?
Let’s allow grace to lead us towards perfect love, reflecting the heart of our Heavenly Father. Remember, the Bible says in 1 John 4:18 that perfect love casts out fear – including the fear of not being good enough.
Prayer for More Grace
Dear Lord,
Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to walk in grace. Guide my steps each day and teach me to rely on Your unmerited favor rather than my own efforts. Let Your grace overflow in my heart, transforming my thoughts, actions, and words.
Help me to extend grace to others as You have generously extended it to me. May I be quick to forgive, slow to anger, and rich in love, mirroring Your character in all my relationships.
Strengthen me in my weaknesses, reminding me that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in my imperfection. When I fall short, lift me up with Your gentle hand and reassure me of Your unwavering love.
Lead me towards a deeper understanding of Your grace, so that I can live in the freedom and joy it brings. Teach me to rest in Your promises and to find peace in Your presence. May my life be a testimony to Your amazing grace, drawing others to Your love and truth.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Further Study in the Bible
Scripture References on Perfection
- Matthew 5:48
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - James 1:4
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - Philippians 3:12
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Scripture References on Excellence
- Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” - 2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” - Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Scripture References on Grace
- Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” - Romans 5:20-21
“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.”
Thanks for joining me in this Bible study on grace and perfection! What does grace mean to you, and how have you experienced it in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!