Dealing with THE impossible standard

Mar 27, 2026

Holy Like God

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Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them, ‘You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Leviticus 19:2 (NET)

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Have you heard this before?

“I’m only human.”

We often say something like that when making a mistake and we want to soften the pain (i.e., protect our fragile egos).

An harsh reminder today:

God’s standard for you is … perfection.

He created mankind in perfection and for a little while we walked perfectly with Him.

I’m sure it lasted a few weeks … but then that forbidden fruit looked so good.

Too bad it dealt death.

The perfection was broken. Our relationship with God was fractured. If we were ever going to get back into perfect relationship with the Lord, something had to compromise.

God’s standards never compromise.

Even when giving the law to the people of Israel -- like we see in this verse -- the Lord’s benchmark stayed the same:

Perfection. Holiness.

So, what’s the solution?

What’s the compromise?

The Lord God took on human flesh, lived THE perfect life, and died in our place.

I know I talk a lot about the Gospel here, but I never get over it. It remains the most amazing truth, fresh every day.

Of course I need a fresh renewal every day because I’m a very broken sinner.

Yet God’s standard remains:

Perfection. Holiness.

THE impossible standard, except for the grace of God.

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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