Perfect 10
Today's date 1010/10 reminded me of the phrase perfect ten.
In the Olympics the judges score the performance of the athletes on a rigid rating scale. I have watched many skaters and gymnasts striving for the rarely achieved 10 poimts from everyone on the judging panel. Uncommon? Yes. Impossible? No. I can still recall the amazement of watching a 14 year old gymnast from Romania execute a flawless routine in the summer of 1976 and become the first ever to win a gold medal after earning a perfect score of 10.
Jesus instructs His disciples to be perfect.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 New International Version)
Such an admonition can indeed seem daunting. If we look only at our weaknesses and often glaring imperfections, we could become disheartened at the command to pursue perfection. Thankfully, God's perfect love casts away fear. Through the perfect work of our Savior we receive what we need. He grants the grace that is essential . We are given a precious promise in Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.(New International Version)
Just as athletes must be disciplined and determined in training so they may achieve their goal, we as followers of Christ must make choices to obey and live a life pleasing to Him. Athletes endure the rigors of training and discipline to receive earthly temporary glory, we do so to obtain a crown of eternal reward.
In the Olympics the judges score the performance of the athletes on a rigid rating scale. I have watched many skaters and gymnasts striving for the rarely achieved 10 poimts from everyone on the judging panel. Uncommon? Yes. Impossible? No. I can still recall the amazement of watching a 14 year old gymnast from Romania execute a flawless routine in the summer of 1976 and become the first ever to win a gold medal after earning a perfect score of 10.
Jesus instructs His disciples to be perfect.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 New International Version)
Such an admonition can indeed seem daunting. If we look only at our weaknesses and often glaring imperfections, we could become disheartened at the command to pursue perfection. Thankfully, God's perfect love casts away fear. Through the perfect work of our Savior we receive what we need. He grants the grace that is essential . We are given a precious promise in Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.(New International Version)
Just as athletes must be disciplined and determined in training so they may achieve their goal, we as followers of Christ must make choices to obey and live a life pleasing to Him. Athletes endure the rigors of training and discipline to receive earthly temporary glory, we do so to obtain a crown of eternal reward.
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