Everywhere we turn, we feel the pressure to measure up. Be better. Be more disciplined. Be more spiritual. Be enough. And many of us quietly wonder: Do I measure up to God?
The honest answer of Scripture is no.
God’s Standard Is Perfection
Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” That is not a lowered bar. That is absolute holiness. Additionaly Scripture tells us: Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We do not fall slightly short. We fall completely short. James 2:10 “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” Sin separates us from a holy God. No amount of good works, church attendance, generosity, or effort can close that gap.
That is the bad news.
Easter Is God’s Answer
The good news is not that we try harder. The good news is that Jesus came. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus didn't just die for us. He took our sin and our shame so that we can have His righteousness and life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live.
He died the death we deserved to die.
And on Easter Sunday, He rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… he was buried… he was raised on the third day.” The resurrection proves the payment was accepted. Sin was defeated. Death was conquered.
You do not measure up.
Jesus did.
Application:
Reflection Questions:
This Easter, you do not need to be better.
You need to believe.
The honest answer of Scripture is no.
God’s Standard Is Perfection
Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” That is not a lowered bar. That is absolute holiness. Additionaly Scripture tells us: Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We do not fall slightly short. We fall completely short. James 2:10 “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” Sin separates us from a holy God. No amount of good works, church attendance, generosity, or effort can close that gap.
That is the bad news.
Easter Is God’s Answer
The good news is not that we try harder. The good news is that Jesus came. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus didn't just die for us. He took our sin and our shame so that we can have His righteousness and life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live.
He died the death we deserved to die.
And on Easter Sunday, He rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… he was buried… he was raised on the third day.” The resurrection proves the payment was accepted. Sin was defeated. Death was conquered.
You do not measure up.
Jesus did.
Application:
- Stop trying to earn God’s approval.
- Trust in what Jesus has already accomplished.
- Rest in grace instead of striving for perfection.
Reflection Questions:
- Where do you feel pressure to measure up spiritually?
- Have you been trying to earn what Jesus already paid for?
- What would it look like to rest in grace instead of striving?
This Easter, you do not need to be better.
You need to believe.
Posted in Easter 2026