I have written in the past how the main characteristic of holiness is not perfection but unique-ness, a set-apartness. You are living a holy life when you live a life that is set apart unto God.

However, when we read “be holy as I am holy” most of us still think God wants perfection. We often assume that in Scripture God calls us to live perfectly, i.e. completely sin-less lives. But let’s be honest, none of us are perfect and this side of eternity none of us will be perfect. No matter how hard we strive we still fail.

And so we often feel like failures bc we just don’t measure up to the standard.

But if we know this about ourselves, don’t you think God knows it even better? Why did He institute sacrifices in the first place? Bc He knew His people weren’t perfect and would need a way to safely enter His presence. Why did Jesus die? One reason is bc we aren’t perfect. We do sin and we need a Savior.

God isn’t calling us to perfection!

God is calling us to perseverance. Big difference. God is calling you to get up every day and choose Him. God is calling you to live moment by moment as His image-bearer on this planet. This day you are to obey the King and bring His kingdom. Remember Joshua said “choose you THIS DAY whom you will serve… as for me and my house we will serve the LORD.”

And when we screw up, we are to acknowledge it. Ask for forgiveness, repent, go to your Father and receive forgiveness, then get back up and keep walking with Him.

God has invited you into a relationship with Him. You need to picture yourself as walking every day with God. Every day choosing to do it His way, go His route, listen to His directions, take His path and follow His plan. And when you realize you’ve screwed up, turn around and make it right.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about perseverance. It’s about choosing to be in this relationship with God day in and day out.

So, believer, may you persevere in your walk with God. May the faithfulness of the Son bring about your faithfulness to the Father. May the Holy Spirit cause each of us to declare every single day “my God, my Master is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Holy One of Israel. I am His and He is mine.”