Don’t Settle for Almost

Read

Ephesians 1:4 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love…”

Think

Have you ever ordered something online, only for it to show up… slightly off? The right color, but the wrong size. The right product, but not the quality you expected. It looks close to what you wanted, but it doesn’t quite deliver. That’s what “almost” feels like. Almost honest. Almost faithful. Almost holy.

We live in a culture of “almost.” Most people aren’t out to live rebelliously. They’re just… close enough. Kind of committed. Sort of surrendered. Mostly moral. But Scripture doesn’t say God called us to be almost holy. It says he chose us—before time itself—to be holy and blameless in his sight. That means holiness isn’t a last-minute add-on or an optional upgrade for super-Christians. It’s the blueprint. The original design.

And it’s built on love. That last phrase in Ephesians 1:4—“In love”—changes everything. God’s desire for your holiness isn’t rooted in control. It’s rooted in care. He doesn’t call you to purity to stifle your joy, but to protect it. He doesn’t invite you to surrender because he’s power-hungry, but because he knows that your soul will always be restless until it finds rest in him.

So why do we settle for “almost”? Sometimes it’s fear. If I go all in, what will it cost me? Will I lose friends? Will I have to let go of habits that feel good—even if they’re not godly? Other times it’s shame. I already messed up, so what’s the point? Why pursue holiness if I’ve already failed? Or maybe it’s apathy. Life’s just busy, and honestly, we don’t feel the urgency to change.

But Ephesians tells a better story. Before the world had foundations, God had a vision of you. Holy. Blameless. Covered in love. Not because you earned it—but because Jesus bought it. Holiness is both positional and practical. In Christ, you’re already declared holy. Now the Spirit helps you walk it out—step by step, day by day.

It’s not about achieving perfection overnight. It’s about resisting the lie that “almost” is enough. When we settle for proximity to God instead of intimacy with him, we miss the whole point. Holiness isn’t about getting close to good. It’s about being conformed to Christ. And the more we surrender, the more we see that what we gain far outweighs what we leave behind.

Holiness isn’t cold or detached—it’s the most passionate, whole-hearted way to live. It’s life at its fullest, not its most limited. And it’s not something you chase on your own. You’re not the architect of your own transformation. You’re the canvas. The Spirit is the artist. Here’s the invitation: don’t settle for a faith that almost reflects Jesus. Let him write holiness into the ordinary corners of your life. Not just your church attendance. Your thought life. Your work ethic. Your scroll habits. Your conflict response. That’s where “set apart” becomes visible. That’s where real change begins.

Apply

Pick one area of your life that’s been operating on “almost.” Maybe it's your media intake, your dating boundaries, or your language at work. Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable this week as you pursue holiness in that one specific area.

Pray

God, I confess that I’ve been content with “almost.” I’ve stayed close to your ways without fully surrendering to them. Thank you for choosing me in love—and for calling me to more. Shape me into someone who reflects your heart in every area. In Jesus’ name. Amen.