Sometimes people seem afraid to approach God unless they “have everything together.”
But throughout the Bible, many people came to God messy, confused, afraid, doubting, or broken.
What do you think God values more: perfection or sincerity?
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Definitely sincerity, Jesus’ sermon against the Pharisees, the tale of the Pharisee and the tax collector who threw himself on God’s mercy, etc…
As far as having everything together, God brought us to Him through the blood of Christ, which cleanses us; so do you need to get cleaned up to take a bath? The thief who found forgiveness on the cross never “got it together.”
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“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” Hosea 6:6
All through the Word, we see things like this.
“And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:3
In Isaiah 29:13, God laments: “These people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.” Flawless performance without a sincere heart is treated as empty theater.
Consider the perspective of a parent. They don’t cherish a flawless, robotic child who never makes a mistake but remains emotionally distant. Instead, they value the child who stumbles, makes errors, but then comes to them with open arms and a genuine desire to improve.
God knows exactly how we are wired; Psalm 103:14 reminds us that “He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Because He knows our limitations, He doesn’t demand that the dust never blow askew. What He desires is a spirit that is entirely honest, transparent, and seeking after Him. In the economy of heaven, a sincerely broken heart is always worth more than a proudly “perfect” facade.
Peter
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