Devotionals from my Bible app: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect (Philippians 3:12-14)

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14, NKJV

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect


Maybe we started off the year strong, but now the halfway point is creeping up, and we’re realizing just how many Bible readings we’re behind– not to mention workouts skipped. To be honest, it’s easy to become apathetic, debating whether failed goals are worth continuing.


But, what if it doesn’t matter when you started or how consistent you’ve been, but that you tried at all? Not that you did it perfectly, but that you attempted.


In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us: we’re not going to get it right on our own, anyway. No matter our qualifications or efforts, we won’t be made perfect or complete without the work of Christ.


So, while we try our best to keep goals, it won’t work out every time. What really counts is being obedient to the call God’s placed on our lives. Sometimes that means pressing on as well as we can.

Observations from the Text:

• We can’t be perfect or complete on our own (v. 12)
• Christ’s death and resurrection make us perfect (v. 12)
• Our past failures shouldn’t keep us from stepping into what God has for us (v. 13)
• “The prize” is union with Jesus! (v. 14)

Prayer: Father God, in the name of Jesus, I lay down my need to be perfect and “always on,” never allowing myself a chance to rest. I take up instead the perfection of Christ. Amen.

Note after sharing the devotional: I’ve been there, including recently. So I can relate to anyone else who has been there. I find the Observations from the Text section to be very encouraging. Be blessed today.