Growing Pains

In God’s eyes you are perfect.

An acorn has within it all of the properties necessary to become an oak tree. An acorn doesn’t look like an oak tree, but once planted in the ground, it will grow into one. You and I may not resemble perfection as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, but God sees us with a capital “P”—perfection through Christ Jesus.

Each night when I lay my head down on the pillow, my mind replays a script of the day’s events. Thoughts conjure up a spectrum of emotions from joy to regret. My words and actions may not have aligned with my professed love for Jesus and others. Sometimes I was able to make a positive impact even when I wasn’t aware of it.

Christians are “being made holy.” Perfection is our status with God—compliments of Jesus. We didn’t do anything to earn or deserve it; it is a gift. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “It is finished!” Salvation and perfection are synonymous. “Being made holy” is a process.

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul said, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV). Paul doesn’t say work for your salvation but “work out your salvation.”

In Christ, we have the necessary elements for holiness. The process of becoming holy is called sanctification. A process that will only be complete when we take our final breath on earth and experience our first breath in heaven.

Don’t fight the growing pains on your way to holiness.