Day 3: The Gospel Makes Us Perfect Again
by Simon Netznik
Scripture
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand… And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” —Romans 5:1, 2a, 5 (ESV)
Application
When our team is planning corporate worship experiences, it’s tempting to try to create a perfect, seamless experience. After all, that’s what we see on social media - hours worth of professional, sterilized content that has been produced for the business of mass media.
This got me thinking: What elements would create a “perfect” worship service – whether according to my preference or theological technicalities?
After a few moments thinking, something hit me - In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve embodied God’s initial design for worship and communion. They quite literally had perfect worship. When the Bible says they were “naked” (Genesis 3:10), it wasn’t just their bodies that were bare; Their souls were also fully open before the Godhead, with direct access to intimacy with the Father. They knew God personally, and this relationship is the premise of true worship.
When Adam and Eve fell into the temptation to touch the forbidden fruit (Original Sin), they not only covered themselves with shame and self-consciousness, embarrassed for God to see them; They faced the consequence of death and became “banished” from the garden.
Through our sin nature, our desire for intimacy with Him is magnified and we seek fulfillment through all kinds of worldly expressions: money, power, sex, drugs, or even a “perfect” corporate worship setlist.
The only thing that can fill the void in our heart is Christ Himself. The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus’ Resurrection has the power to reconcile us back to our original purpose – “for My glory,” as God said (Isaiah 43:7). This doesn’t mean we automatically don’t sin again, as we still live in earthly bodies until we become part of the New Heaven and Earth (Revelation 21:1-7).
Spiritually, Jesus justifies us through faith (Romans 5:1), makes us holy and blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4), and we now become the very righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). By believing in Him, we’ve regained access to the Father directly through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). He wills to make us perfect again and restore us to perfect worship.
Reflection
- Read Romans 5. How does “death through Adam” lead to “life in Christ” for a believer?
- Are there any areas of your life in which you are experiencing shame, self-consciousness, or fear? You may be asking God for a “holy interruption” (Refer back to Day 2, Heart Over Hype). Identify these areas and write them in your journal. Invite God directly into those parts of your heart and to begin healing those areas.
- Have you tried to create your own “perfect” experience, whether in worship or other areas of your life? How might submitting those areas to God increase your intimacy with Him?
Prayer
“Father, thank you for giving me Life in Christ. I confess that I have attempted to find perfection in my own strength, crafting experiences that may appear flawless on the outside, yet fall short of the true intimacy and communion that You desire. I recognize that this fulfillment and peace are only found in You. Help me to lay down my fear, shae, and self-consciousness. Grant me the wisdom to embrace the freedom that comes from being fully known and loved by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”