If

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. Colossians 1:21-23

IF. That’s a small word that has big meaning. It carries with it the burden of a condition, and there have been many times I have thought this condition to be a burden, but as I read this verse today, I see it as a tremendous blessing.

Because what I really am is a person who struggles daily in my flesh. I doubt. I sin. I don’t act when I should. I get angry, jealous, and anxious. I mess up every day, but it is not myself that makes me holy and blameless and beyond reproach, it is Christ. All that I need to do is to continue in the faith — get up every day, put one foot in front of the other, and do my best.

No. Not be perfect, but be faithful. There’s a difference, and if we can recognize that difference, then it lifts a huge burden off our shoulders.