"As a Christian, my brand of perfectionism can be a little more subtle because it sometimes disguises itself in pious clothing. But even when perfectionism seems to be aimed at godly living, it is prideful because it expects from ourselves now what only God has promised to accomplish in the future. Perfectionism disregards God’s promise to make us who we ought to be by attempting in our own strength to meet the goal of that promise in the present, and by positioning ourselves as the final judges of our performance."

-Winston Hottman

 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! 

Many are rising up against me.

Many are saying of my soul,

"There is no deliverance for him in God."

Psalm 3:1-2

     This is the voice of the Accuser, pulling out our deep fear to the surface--that, "perhaps", we do not see the deliverance of God because He is not willing. Because our sin is too great. Because we don't have the "formula" down correctly. Do we not feel our deficiencies clinging to us so closely? Do we not feel that we deserve to be rejected? 

But then, there is our God. He does not accuse us of our sins. He does not excuse us of our sins. He gives us Jesus. 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Rom. 8:31-34

Without Christ, we would have no deliverance in God. The Father would be the one to pour His wrath and judgement upon us--apart from Jesus, the Father would be our greatest threat. But the very One who would destroy us has made a way to deliver us in the Son, and now no charge can be brought against those of us who are in Him.