THE PERFECTION I CELEBRATE

         I am a huge Kentucky Wildcat fan. As I write this, UK has a 38-0 record. They are two games away from a perfect season. This is the most exciting season I can remember. The nation is waiting and watching for a perfect basketball season.  If UK wins it all, there will be shirts, DVD's, and parties celebrating this achievement. While I hope to see this happen, it is not the perfection that I celebrate this week.

         You see whether UK wins or loses, it will not impact my life. Sure, I may lose a little sleep and maybe be depressed for a day or two, but life will go on. I may or may not see a perfect basketball season in my life or another UK championship, but it will not determine whether I live or die. It is enjoyment; perhaps even an escape from reality but that is all. Even though UK basketball is treated like a religion in the state of Kentucky, it is still a game.

         However, there is a perfect that I plan on celebrating this week. This pursuit of perfection has changed my life. Nearly 2,000 years ago my Savior came from heaven. He lived a perfect life. What do I mean by perfect? He did not sin, not even once. He never lied, never killed, and never had an immoral thought. He fulfilled every commandment and law perfectly.

         If that were all that Jesus had done, that would be an honor worth celebrating. After all, that is a great accomplishment and that would deserve our acknowledgement. However, He did more. The Bible explains what He did.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV).

         What does that mean? It means that Jesus' pursuit of perfection changed my life. I am not perfect. I have sinned (Romans 3:23). I have done things that I am ashamed of and regret. As a result, I deserve hell (Romans 6:23). I am guilty and I cannot save myself. That is the truth. Jesus' perfection paid a price for me. His death was not warranted due to His guilt. He died an innocent man. He took my place and paid the price of all of my imperfections. When I believed that Jesus is the Son of God, confessed Him as Lord, repented (turned away) from my sins, and was baptized, my price of sin was paid (Acts 2:38). I am a guilty man that has been forgiven. I am a guilty man that will receive a home in heaven with my perfect Savior. The good news is that you can have the same gift as me. Regardless of your mistakes, they can be forgiven. You just need to accept the same gift.

         Every Sunday (not just Easter) I celebrate this perfection. My life has hope, meaning, and purpose. While I do not welcome death, I do not fear it either. My Savior's perfection has meaning. It changes everything. It is why I teach and preach. It is why I dedicate my life to something other than my selfish desires.

         This Saturday, I will cheer in a hope that perfection will continue for my Wildcats. It may or may not happen. If it does, none of those players will know my name. They may not even like the fact I say "we" won. After all, it is there victory or loss.

         This Sunday, I will celebrate the fact that my Savior's perfection was given as a gift to an undeserving sinner. He knows my name. He knows my mistakes. He welcomes me into His home. Jesus gives me something real to celebrate.