Matthew 9:12 (NLT)
“When Jesus heard this, he said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.’“
One of the greatest misunderstandings about Christianity is the belief that following Jesus means we become perfect. Some people look at Christians and expect us to always say the right thing, make the right decisions, and never struggle with temptation, emotions, or our own weaknesses. But Jesus never came looking for perfect people.
He came for people who knew they needed Him.
When Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 9, He was reminding those around Him that the people who recognize their need for a Savior are the ones who come to Him. A doctor isn’t needed by someone who believes they have no problem. A doctor is needed by someone who understands they need healing. And that’s the difference.
As followers of Christ, we are not claiming to have it all together. We are declaring that we cannot do life without Him.
When we gave our lives to Jesus Christ, we surrendered the lordship of our lives to Him. We acknowledged that our old ways, our old thinking, and our old patterns could not take us where God desired us to go. Ephesians 4:22 (NLT) tells us, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” But here is something we must remember: throwing off the old nature does not mean we instantly become a finished product. Transformation is a process.
Sometimes we expect ourselves to arrive at a place spiritually that God never promised we would reach overnight. We become frustrated when we see areas where we still need growth. We criticize ourselves when we fall short. We forget that the same grace God extended to us when He saved us is the same grace He extends while He is changing us.
Romans 8:1 (NLT) reminds us, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” There is conviction from the Holy Spirit, but there is no condemnation from God. Conviction invites us to grow. Condemnation tells us we have failed beyond repair. One draws us closer to Christ; the other makes us want to hide. And hiding is something believers never have to do.
God is not surprised by the areas where we still need work. He already knows the places in our hearts that need healing, maturity, and transformation. That is why we must learn to extend grace to ourselves while we continue surrendering to Him.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) gives us this promise: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” The work God began in you, He is faithful to complete.
The world may look at Christians and expect perfection. While none of us will be perfect on this side of heaven, there’s something important about that expectation. People recognize that following Jesus Christ should make a difference in the way we live. They expect to see love, kindness, integrity, humility, patience, and self-control reflected in our lives. They’re not wrong to expect that. As we grow in Christ, those qualities should become increasingly evident because they are the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work within us.
But what they also must understand is that Christians are not people who have mastered perfection. We are people who have surrendered to the One who is perfect. We are being shaped. We are being refined. We are being transformed. Every day, the Holy Spirit is working within us, helping us become more like Christ.
So when you recognize an area where you still need growth, don’t run away from God in shame. Run toward Him in surrender. The same Savior who rescued you is the Savior who is still working on you. You are not the finished work yet.
But through Jesus Christ, you are becoming who God created you to be. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Christians Are Imperfect, But We Are Being Perfected”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
