There’s a strange idea circulating in the Church today. It goes something like this: “I’m not like those ‘good’ Christians. I’m more real. I mess up. I’m not perfect—and that’s okay.”
While there’s a certain humility in admitting our imperfections, many believers have taken it too far. They wear spiritual immaturity like a badge of authenticity—as if being a “not-so-good Christian” somehow makes them more relatable or honest.
But let’s be clear: God is not asking us to be perfect in a worldly or performance-based sense. He is, however, calling us to maturity.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — James 1:4
When Jesus called us to “be perfect,” the Greek word used—teleios—means mature, complete, fully grown. This isn’t about being flawless; it’s about being fully formed in love, character, and obedience through the Spirit of God.
We need to break this cycle of comparison—measuring ourselves against others, whether we think we’re better or worse. The Bible levels the playing field:
“All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” — Isaiah 64:6
Whether you’re trying to be “perfect” in your own strength or you’re proud of being “less than,” both positions miss the point. Neither self-righteousness nor self-deprecation earns favor with God. The only path to righteousness is through Christ.
So, what’s the answer?
Die. Just die.
Die to your flesh. Die to your ego. Die to your efforts.
The Apostle Paul said it plainly:
“I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ… I consider them garbage (dung), that I may gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8
“I die daily.” — 1 Corinthians 15:31
Your flesh—your self-will, self-righteousness, and self-effort—isn’t useful to God. But here’s the beautiful irony: it makes great fertilizer. When you die to yourself, the soil of your heart becomes rich ground for the Word of God.
The seed is His Word. The growth is His doing. The fruit? That’s not your job. It’s the Holy Spirit’s.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” — Galatians 5:22–23
Notice it says fruit, not works. There’s a major difference. Works come from effort; fruit comes from yielding. A branch doesn’t strive to bear fruit—it simply abides.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” — John 15:4
So, stop everything. Stop striving. Stop comparing. Stop trying to prove your relationship with God by external actions. Instead, yield.
Yield your thoughts. Yield your emotions. Yield your will. Die to the idea that you can do any of this in your own strength.
When you do, the Spirit will produce His fruit in your life—not by your effort, but through His power.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27
“He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” — Romans 8:11
The Christian life isn’t about trying harder. It’s about surrendering deeper. It’s not about proving you belong to God—it’s about letting God live through you.
The work has already been finished. Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
So what’s left?
Fruit.
The fruit of a life fully yielded to the Spirit of God.
The more you die, the more He lives in you. And the more He lives in you, the more fruit will naturally grow.