God Knows You’re Going to Mess It Up…

Bethel – What Does it Sound Like

One of the greatest lies a Christian could believe is that God expects him to be perfect. If we are expected to be perfect, then the Cross is not necessary. The truth is that unhealthily high expectations for people actually blasphemes the grace of God and preaches that we don’t really need His gift of grace.

I recently read about how Jesus blessed Peter and turned the keys of the kingdom over to him JUST BEFORE he had to rebuke him by calling him, “Satan” (Matthew 16:23). The beautiful thing is that Jesus never took the keys back from Peter. Jesus also knew that Peter would deny Him and that later the apostle Paul would have to rebuke Peter publicly for hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14). Even so Peter was promised he would sit on one of the twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus never called anyone an “adult of God.” He always referred to His people as children. In fact, Jesus said in Luke 18:17, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” God’s leadership style provides a place where His followers can make mistakes and learn from them. Children who are expected to be perfect at a young age end up stifled and unhealthy. Children who are able to learn from their mistakes grow healthy, wise, and free.

James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble in many ways.” It’s going to happen. While our aim is always to live a holy life set apart, we still aren’t perfect yet. We are all going to mess things up from time to time and our mistakes will need to be corrected. But the correction we give one another must be given in a way that encourages and frees, not one that condemns and crushes initiative.