Perfected in Christ — Not Perfect Yet

One of the quiet struggles I often hear from fellow believers is this: “Why do I still mess up if I truly belong to Christ?” It's a question born out of sincere hearts that long to live rightly, to honor God, and to walk in holiness. And maybe you’ve asked it too.

The root of that struggle lies in misunderstanding what it means to be perfected in Christ versus being perfect or sinless in our daily living.

Let’s take a few moments to reflect on what Scripture teaches us about this, because understanding the difference brings peace and freedom.

1. You Are Already Perfected in Christ
Hebrews 10:14 gives us this amazing truth:

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (LSB)

Think about that—perfected for all time. This speaks of your position before God because of what Jesus has done on your behalf. When He died on the cross and rose again, His righteousness became yours through faith. When God looks at you, He sees you clothed in the perfection of His Son.

You are forgiven, accepted, and loved—not because you’ve been flawless, but because Jesus was.

2. You Are Still Being Sanctified
At the same time, the verse says we are being sanctified. That’s an ongoing work—a process. It means that even though we’ve been made righteous in God’s sight, we are still being shaped into Christ’s likeness day by day.

This is why we still battle sin, why we still need grace, and why we never outgrow repentance. Sanctification is the Spirit’s work in us—changing us from the inside out. And it takes time. Often a lifetime.

The Apostle Paul understood this well. He wrote:

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on...” (Philippians 3:12, LSB)

So if you’ve ever felt like you’re falling short, you’re not alone. And you’re not a failure. You’re in process.

3. Set Your Mind on Sanctification, Not Sin
Here’s a truth that can reframe your entire walk with Christ: We are not called to a mindset of sin—we’re called to a mindset of sanctification.

Yes, we still wrestle with the flesh. Yes, we fall short. But we are no longer identified by sin—we are identified by our Savior. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:11:

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (LSB)

Our mindset must match our identity. If we constantly focus on our failures, we will live defeated. But if we fix our minds on Christ and His work in us, we will be transformed. Romans 12:2 tells us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. You have to do that! That is discipline!

That means we don’t live every day bracing for failure. We wake up daily remembering who we are in Christ and choosing to walk in the Spirit. We fight sin, but we don’t obsess over it. We focus on Christ because it’s in Him that we are changed.

4. God Isn’t Expecting Perfection—He’s Calling for Faithfulness
God never asks us to be perfect in our own strength. If that were possible, we wouldn’t have needed Jesus. What He does call us to is faithfulness. He calls us to abide in Him, to walk by the Spirit, and to keep pressing on in our growth—imperfectly but sincerely.

There’s a danger when we start to think God only loves us when we’re “doing well.” That kind of thinking leads to shame when we fall and pride when we think we’re getting it all right.

But the gospel sets us free from both. You don’t have to perform for God’s approval. You already have it in Christ.

5. Progress, Not Perfection
Sanctification doesn’t mean instant perfection—it means steady, grace-fueled progress. And sometimes progress looks like stumbling forward. But God is patient. He’s not done with you yet.

Philippians 1:6 gives us this confidence:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” (LSB)

So breathe deep. Rest in His finished work. And trust that He’s still working in you, even when it’s slow, even when it’s hard.

6. Walk in Grace, Live in Hope
As your pastor, my encouragement to you is this: Don’t confuse being perfected in Christ with having to be perfect right now. Yes, pursue holiness. Yes, fight sin. But do it from a place of identity, not insecurity. You are His. You are loved. And you are being sanctified by the One who will never give up on you.

And remember—your mind matters. Fix it on Christ. Set it on things above. Live with a mindset that says, “I am being sanctified, not stuck in sin.”

That mindset won’t make you perfect overnight, but it will keep you anchored in grace and moving toward godliness.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, LSB

With love and grace,
Pastor Jody