perfectionism

[Maybelle]

I was baptized when I was 8 yrs old, but really committed my life to Christ 6 yrs ago on the phone with a counselor for Billy Graham. I am 57 yrs old (possibly the oldest one on this board). At 57 you would think I would have everything all figured out. That is one of my problems. I get so exasperated because I'm not a perfect Christian (far from it) I feel like a pretty rotten sinner at times because of my judgmental attitudes or impatience (though I try not to be). I feel like I should be endlessly patient, nonjudgmental, and not watch tv shows that talk about entertainment (like the Insider or Entertainment Tonight), or overeat (which I do). I try to be patient and kind and help people out that are down on their luck when I can. How perfect do we have to be in order to be good Christians?

[Kahtar]

Well, Maybelle, I hate to disappoint you, but, the fact is, you will never be 'good' enough, or 'perfect' enough to warrant salvation.
You, along with all the rest of us, are hopeless, sinful creatures entirely worthy of judgment.
Fortunately for you and I, Jesus Christ has already paid for all our failures, and all we have to do to be a 'Christian' is to accept the sacrifice He made on the cross for us, in our place.
With our sin debt already paid, by Him, we are now free from judgment of sin.We can now spend our lives living to please Him, without the fear of failure.
This does not mean we can now sin all we want. We should try to not sin, and rely on His help to do that. But when we do fail, and we will, we needn't fear any longer.

[ilovemetal]

I was baptized when I was 8 yrs old, but really committed my life to Christ 6 yrs ago on the phone with a counselor for Billy Graham. I am 57 yrs old (possibly the oldest one on this board). At 57 you would think I would have everything all figured out. That is one of my problems. I get so exasperated because I'm not a perfect Christian (far from it) I feel like a pretty rotten sinner at times because of my judgmental attitudes or impatience (though I try not to be). I feel like I should be endlessly patient, nonjudgmental, and not watch tv shows that talk about entertainment (like the Insider or Entertainment Tonight), or overeat (which I do). I try to be patient and kind and help people out that are down on their luck when I can. How perfect do we have to be in order to be good Christians?

heh. well, i'm pretty sure your not the oldest here;), not that i am or anything...

anyways, there's something i've leared that has mosly been said. but i'll share anyways. we can never be perfect. so once we realize that, it's not as stressful. though, which has been said, we must do our best to be. but again, won't happen. God only askes us to do our best, and when we stumble He is there for us. that alone gets me through ALOT. limitless love from the Father, what more can we ask for. and we don't deserve it.

so as you live your life (and this is something we all need reminding of) live each day at a time, for God. you know, aslo, the best part is Christ transforms us from the inside out. we, as Christians can ask for this change too, i always doo. God has taught me patience and helped with much in life. mainly, i think, for me is the way i view life. i no longer live for myself. this is key by the way, the change, the life we lost we now have gained, through Jesus, so it's now up to us to live for Him.

anyways, i'm getting off track. just, don't get too down when you sin, because heck, we all do it! we're all the same, us humans. we do what we can and ask Jesus to help us with the rest. if your feeling not good enough also realize it could be a phase. once i rededicated my life to Christ i felt i couldn't do enough, anything and everything i did had to be for Him. but that's no good either. He still want's us to live our lives. have some fun, but remeber why we're here.

ok. so again, don't get too down. we all feel this to different degrees. it's a sign your growing i think.

kev

ps. those entertainment shows are filth. and i don't even think that's just my opinion. they're pure gossip, and frankly i could care less what actor is dating who. it's 100% irrelivant to our lives. sorry if your into them.:P

[Maybelle]

I appreciate the advice from both of you. It was very helpful to me and made me feel better. Thank you and God Bless You.

[stoomart]

Dear sister,

I feel I must commend this to you, and to others that may be reading this as well, do not allow God's grace to hinder your obedience to Him, but take comfort in that His grace will be there when you do fall, (picture an acrobat).

Also, I would recommend doing a biblical study on the full meaning and context of repentance, as well as forgiveness. Failure to understand and apply these two critical aspects of our relationship with God and others can be like Round-Up on the growth of the seed of God's word in our hearts.

Here are some good places to start:


2 Corinthians 7:8-11

8. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
9. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.


Matthew 18:23-35

...35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.


In Christ's love, stoo

[Sold Out]

I was baptized when I was 8 yrs old, but really committed my life to Christ 6 yrs ago on the phone with a counselor for Billy Graham. I am 57 yrs old (possibly the oldest one on this board). At 57 you would think I would have everything all figured out. That is one of my problems. I get so exasperated because I'm not a perfect Christian (far from it) I feel like a pretty rotten sinner at times because of my judgmental attitudes or impatience (though I try not to be). I feel like I should be endlessly patient, nonjudgmental, and not watch tv shows that talk about entertainment (like the Insider or Entertainment Tonight), or overeat (which I do). I try to be patient and kind and help people out that are down on their luck when I can. How perfect do we have to be in order to be good Christians?

Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

This word 'perfect' in the greek is Teleios, which means 'mature; all grown up'....it does not mean sinless perfection. So the perfection that God expects of us as Christians is for us to grow up and be mature!

We mature by regular bible study, prayer and fellowshipping with God's people. We have to feed on a steady diet of scripture in order to mature spiritually. Once you start doing this, you will find that God will purge your old thoughts and desires from your mind, and replace with spiritual things. Pretty soon you'll wonder if you are the same person!

[JesusMySavior]

I was baptized when I was 8 yrs old, but really committed my life to Christ 6 yrs ago on the phone with a counselor for Billy Graham. I am 57 yrs old (possibly the oldest one on this board). At 57 you would think I would have everything all figured out. That is one of my problems. I get so exasperated because I'm not a perfect Christian (far from it) I feel like a pretty rotten sinner at times because of my judgmental attitudes or impatience (though I try not to be). I feel like I should be endlessly patient, nonjudgmental, and not watch tv shows that talk about entertainment (like the Insider or Entertainment Tonight), or overeat (which I do). I try to be patient and kind and help people out that are down on their luck when I can. How perfect do we have to be in order to be good Christians?


What's the first commandment?

Love the Lord Your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength.


Do that and you'll never fail. Plus, God's grace is what upholds us, not anything we do. I don't care what other people say. Even James that talks about works justification actually points to grace. That's where it all starts, baby. :cool:

[Oregongrown]

Well, Maybelle, I hate to disappoint you, but, the fact is, you will never be 'good' enough, or 'perfect' enough to warrant salvation.
You, along with all the rest of us, are hopeless, sinful creatures entirely worthy of judgment.
Fortunately for you and I, Jesus Christ has already paid for all our failures, and all we have to do to be a 'Christian' is to accept the sacrifice He made on the cross for us, in our place.
With our sin debt already paid, by Him, we are now free from judgment of sin.We can now spend our lives living to please Him, without the fear of failure.
This does not mean we can now sin all we want. We should try to not sin, and rely on His help to do that. But when we do fail, and we will, we needn't fear any longer.

can tell it like this:) God bless you darlin, and praise God for His wonderful works through you:) I am very happy to run across your post. Hope to read more of them as time allows!! I actually have quite a bit right now so praise God for that too, your sister in Christ, denise:pp

[cdo]

Sorry Maybelle,
You can stop trying and working To be perfect.It wont ever happen.He's still working on all of us.We're that clay He's molding.
This should give you and your mind 'rest'
BTW....I don't believe your the oldest :lol:
in Christ,Darlene:hug:

[MyGod]

Well, Maybelle, I hate to disappoint you, but, the fact is, you will never be 'good' enough, or 'perfect' enough to warrant salvation.
You, along with all the rest of us, are hopeless, sinful creatures entirely worthy of judgment.
Fortunately for you and I, Jesus Christ has already paid for all our failures, and all we have to do to be a 'Christian' is to accept the sacrifice He made on the cross for us, in our place.
With our sin debt already paid, by Him, we are now free from judgment of sin.We can now spend our lives living to please Him, without the fear of failure.
This does not mean we can now sin all we want. We should try to not sin, and rely on His help to do that. But when we do fail, and we will, we needn't fear any longer.

Nuff said! Can't add anything to this. Amen.

[BattleGround]

I think someone had said something about never being good enough for salvation.

Just know that if God saved you, then obviously he thought you deserved it, we can get down on ourselves and say I dont deserve God or to be saved, but God chose to save us so if thats the case, he thought we deserved it.

We can only strive to be like Jesus who is perfection, but we will not reach a perfected state until or if you make it to heaven, Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

[brakelite]

I was baptized when I was 8 yrs old, but really committed my life to Christ 6 yrs ago on the phone with a counselor for Billy Graham. I am 57 yrs old (possibly the oldest one on this board). At 57 you would think I would have everything all figured out. That is one of my problems. I get so exasperated because I'm not a perfect Christian (far from it) I feel like a pretty rotten sinner at times because of my judgmental attitudes or impatience (though I try not to be). I feel like I should be endlessly patient, nonjudgmental, and not watch tv shows that talk about entertainment (like the Insider or Entertainment Tonight), or overeat (which I do). I try to be patient and kind and help people out that are down on their luck when I can. How perfect do we have to be in order to be good Christians?
Hi Maybelle. I don't know if you are the oldest here, but you are way older than me,almost one year;).:D
From what I have read from your post, I would suggest that you are already a good Christian. That you are convicted of various wrong attitudes and and habits tells me that your relationship with Jesus is strong and that His Spirit is in you. They who do not belong to God feel little conviction of sin, and even less motivation to change. But you are different. I perceive you desire change. And there is hope. The Bible promises us that we can be partakers of the divine nature.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


This means that we can live the very life of Christ. As we surrender to Him, He changes us day to day and we are changed into His image. His life and character is assimilated into our own, His Holy Spirit fills us with His righteousness and we are able to walk as He walked. This does not happen overnight. It is a growth thing that takes all our lives. We go on to perfection. Each day as we die to self, we grow in the grace and goodness of God. This is the battle we face each day. Dieing to self. It is not easy, there are so many things (like Tv entertainment etc) that vie for our attention. But Jesus has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
Do not strive to be perfect, but rest and trust in Him to make of you what He will. As you continue to trust and pray and surrender your will to His, you will find that the changes are being made, and you will become a vessel that will bring glory to His holy name.

[ShirleyFord]

Sorry Maybelle,
You can stop trying and working To be perfect.It wont ever happen.He's still working on all of us.We're that clay He's molding.
This should give you and your mind 'rest'
BTW....I don't believe your the oldest :lol:
in Christ,Darlene:hug:

I'm 67 and have been saved for 41 years. And I'm by no means "perfect" knowing and doing all things perfectedly.

But all that I am I owe to my Lord for doing the work in and through me.

God bless you.

Shirley

[cdo]

I'm 67 and have been saved for 41 years. And I'm by no means "perfect" knowing and doing all things perfectedly.

But all that I am I owe to my Lord for doing the work in and through me.

God bless you.

Shirley
Hey Shirley,I've been wondering how you've been :hug:
But :lol: I was thinking only about the men:rofl::rofl:
Maybe they wont beat me up :hmm:===:eek:
in Christ,Darlene:hug: