We can’t achieve perfection. 
One mistake ruins perfect. 

Following the rules doesn’t make us perfect. 

Following the rules is doing the bare minimum to be commonly good. 

The problem is that good is not in us. This doesn’t mean we can’t do good things or people aren’t good to each other. People do good but the motivation for doing good can reveal the imperfection of the good done. 

Some do good so they can feel better about something they regret having done. Or they do something good in case they later do something bad and the good can offset the bad. That’s self motivated and is done to medicate a feeling of not being good. Therefore they reveal that they are not good. 

Some do good so they will one day have good done for them. They too are doing it for a selfish motivation. The intent of having the act returned to them doesn’t reveal good but selfishness, therefore revealing they are not truly good. 

Good means doing something for someone regardless of what can be done for them. 

Only God is truly good. Only He has demonstrated a good love that comes and does something for us, not to make himself feel better, but because He genuinely loves us. His love makes Him good. 

His love for us reveals itself in the goodness He displays toward us. 

He requires us to do nothing but receive His forgiveness and start following Jesus. 

When we receive His salvation and follow Jesus, we draw near to God. 

When we trust in Jesus and what Jesus has done for us, we receive His salvation and He makes us as if we are perfect before God. 

The rules can’t make us perfect. Only Jesus can. That is our hope. That is the only way we can come near to God. We must receive that hope. Trust in that hope. And we must follow that hope. 

“(because the Law made nothing perfect). On the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God…
This is why he can completely save those who are approaching God through him, because he always lives to speak with God for them.”
Hebrews‬ ‭7:19, 25‬ ‭CEB‬‬

What if our impatience is holding back a promise of God?

What if it’s our desire to have it now that is keeping us from God’s best

What if, the relief we want now is a hindrance to the blessing of God later?
What if, what we really want is that for which we will have to wait?

What if you can get what you can now or wait for God’s perfect plan?

What if the promise of God is worth… the…. wait. 

Wait

For 

It…

“So Abraham obtained the promise by showing patience.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭CEB‬‬

No matter what…

What your diagnosis is.
What your employer can or cannot do.
What your son or daughter has done. 

What your ex has said or destroyed.
What shame you feel or sin needs healed. 

What loneliness or depression has come.

Whatever you are suffering through. 

When fear has you in its grips.
When it seems impossible to you.
No matter what tomorrow holds

I’m glad we can know that everything is under God’s control. 

“God made the earth by his might, shaped the world by his wisdom, and crafted the skies by his knowledge. At the sound of God’s voice, the heavenly waters roar. God raises the clouds from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and sends the wind from his treasuries.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭51:15-16‬ ‭CEB‬‬

What is your “no matter what” moment?

What comforts you in times of pain?
We look for words to comfort us and bring hope. 

Maybe words from parents or friends. 

Maybe words from a spouse or peer. 

The psalmist went to the words from God. 

Only God can offer life in pain. 

Only God can bring joy in suffering. 

Only God can grant peace in loss. 

Search His words and wait for His life to bring newness in the mess. 

“My comfort during my suffering is this: your word gives me new life.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:50‬ ‭CEB‬‬

“God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.”

Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭CEB‬‬

“Father, give me the desire and courage to live out Your good purpose for me.”

“It is my expectation and hope that I won’t be put to shame in anything. Rather, I hope with daring courage that Christ’s greatness will be seen in my body, now as always, whether I live or die.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭CEB‬‬

We can hope in that our suffering and pain won’t lead to shame. 
We can courageously bear suffering knowing that God will be great as we boldly bear the pain with a confident hope in Jesus’ promise. 

When we see that what lies on the other side of pain—even death—is worth it all knowing that Jesus is made known. 

“It’s my misfortune, I thought, that the strong hand of the Most High is different now. But I will remember the LORD’s deeds; yes, I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past. I will meditate on all your works; I will ponder your deeds. God, your way is holiness! Who is as great a god as you, God? You are the God who works wonders; you have demonstrated your strength among all peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people; redeemed the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:10-15‬ ‭CEB‬‬

When you don’t see God at work, remember how he has already done wondrous works. 

When His way is not our desired way, remember His way leads to holiness not necessarily happiness. 

God’s holiness brings joy that outlasts our happiness. 

“Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?” Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.”‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-36‬ ‭CEB‬‬

http://bible.com/37/jhn.8.31-36.ceb
Slaves are not sons. 
Slaves are bound to a master and separated from the benefits of the home. 

Sons are free to enjoy the benefits of the home. 
Slaves work for a master. 

Sons work for their father. 
Slaves are punished. 

Sons are disciplined. 
Slaves are obligated by duty. 

Sons are driven by love. 
Slaves are replaceable. 

Sons are invaluable. 

Jesus addresses those who believe in Him but don’t fully understand. 
They were Jews, sons of Abraham. Ones who believed in the Abrahamic covenant and that the Messiah would come to make them a great and powerful people. 
While the Jews were sons of Abraham, 

Jesus was letting them know:

1) Though they were religious, they were not sons of Abraham but of Satan. 

The son is identified by who he works for. Both sons and slaves work for someone. Jesus was revealing that those who don’t believe and follow Hos teaching work for Satan and not God or Abraham. If they would have worked for Abraham—a man of righteousness—then they would know who the Father is and therefore know who Jesus really is. 

2) how to become sons of God.

It wasn’t believing in Jesus as a deliverer but believing in Jesus as God’s incarnate son and following Jesus’ teachings that made them sons of God. 

Sons are made when they are set free from sin. 

Freedom comes when we know the truth. 

Truth comes when we believe Jesus is God and faithfully follow His teachings. 

There is a difference between believing in Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. Disciples show they believe in Jesus by following what Jesus teaches. 

They are the ones who experience the freedom that only comes from being set free by Jesus. 

When we experience the freedom of Jesus, we no longer are slaves to sin or fear. When we experience the freedom of Jesus through trusting in what Jesus did on the cross and following Him we are now free to love. Love is what overcomes sin and fear. 

Are you a son or a slave?

Are you bound by fear and sin or are you free to love and be loved?

Those who hope in anything this world offers will die hopeless.

What is your hope in? Or should the question be, “Who is your hope in?”

“When the wicked die, their hope perishes. Yes, any hope based on money perishes.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭CEB‬‬