Mercy Over Sacrifice

The topic of perfection and sanctification is quite the topic.  To one group of people it is looked as taboo and to the other it's something to strive for in the Christian walk.  But the good news is I'm not here to debate on what perfection is.  However, I believe that there is a calling to growth in the Christian walk.  It's found all over the scriptures (Matthew 5:14, 1 John 2:6, Ephesians 4:22-24).  A call to live a life like Jesus, to grow more and more like Him.  But honestly what's the balance?  Should we be so focused on becomes like Jesus that you stress out in hopes of attaining his character every time you think about it, or is it something that I should just shrug off because I'll never get there?  I'm not much of a theologian, but I'll give you my ten cents.

For a period of time I found myself on one side of the pendulum, hoping to earn God's favor.  I had this mentality of "here Lord, let me stop eating this, listen only to that, go to sleep at this time, and make sure to do a little more good in my spare time."  Now don't get me wrong, I still try my best to uphold to those standards that I held throughout this time of extremely zealous piety (trying to use some GRE words).  I still try to take care of my health and do ministry as much as I can, but there's something different as I look into my experience now and then.  Here's what made the difference.

Mercy.  Not the mercy you say, when you get an answer wrong in a quiz or forget to water your succulent.  I'm talking about the mercy that God has for you even though you fall short time after time.  The mercy of Jesus telling you that you're worth His Life, despise of all your weaknesses.  That was what I missed.  Cause you see, throughout the path of perfection or Christian growth, mercy is always found.  When you understand that, then can you experience peace.  I have tried so hard to become a better person without God's mercy.  I was living in fear of letting Him down and not meeting the standard of what I thought was the perfect Christian.  But God was trying to tell me the whole time that I am perfect in Him (Isaiah 1:18), and these kinks in my life, He'll help me work out as I look upon Him and His grace.  

Now keep in mind that mercy is no excuse to do whatever you want.  Isaiah 85:10 writes "Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed."  On the cross you see the perfect balance of mercy as well as righteousness.  Jesus showing mercy towards us on the cross, but him also showing the magnitude of what happens when the law is broken.  So as deep as God's mercy is, it should never be looked upon as an excuse to live in sin and ignorance.  Look at what it did to Jesus.  

So this is what I want to end off with.  Yes, I personally believe that God does call us to a very high standard and a life of victory. but throughout this process don't ever forget His mercy.  Realise that even in your imperfection, you are perfect in Him.  Even though you fall short, His love for you never changes, and because of this love that never changes, you may become more like Him.  Even more greater than your sacrifice for God, is God's mercy for you.

 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  Ephesians 2:4-5

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.                                                                                              Ephesians 2:10