Progress, Not Perfection

Read

Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Think

Some days, holiness feels like a mountain you’ll never finish climbing. You start the morning with good intentions. Time in the Word, a peaceful attitude, a few humble prayers. And then… real life hits. You lose your patience. You speak too harshly. You scroll where you shouldn’t. You catch yourself trying to impress, compare, control, escape. Suddenly, the idea of being “holy” feels laughable. Who are we kidding?

If you’ve ever felt that way, Philippians 1:6 is your anchor. Paul isn’t writing to perfect people. He’s writing to real people—followers of Jesus still stumbling forward, still learning what it means to live set apart. And he tells them something radical: God’s not done with you. Not even close. He started this holy work in you, and he’s committed to finishing it.

That’s what sets biblical holiness apart from every self-improvement trend. In the world’s system, you’re responsible for your own transformation. You hustle, achieve, fix, or fake it. But in the kingdom of God? Holiness is God’s work in you. You cooperate with it, but you don’t create it.

It’s easy to confuse holiness with perfection. But they’re not the same. Holiness is direction. It’s trajectory. It’s saying, “I may not be where I want to be—but I’m not who I used to be.” It’s a continual becoming, empowered by the Spirit and sustained by grace.

Even the apostle Paul admitted he hadn’t “arrived” (Philippians 3:12). He just kept pressing forward. Holiness, then, isn’t a trophy—it’s a journey. A long obedience in the same direction. And God’s promise is this: if he started the work, he’ll finish it. Not with frustration, but with faithfulness.

That changes how we respond to failure. When you fall short, the enemy will whisper shame: “See? You’re a fraud. You’ll never change.” But the Spirit says, “Get up. Let’s keep going. I’m not finished with you.” One accuses. The other restores. One reminds you of your sin. The other reminds you of your Savior.

So instead of measuring your worth by how holy you feel, look at who’s holding your story. Jesus isn’t pacing the floor, disappointed in your progress. He’s walking beside you—shaping, pruning, healing, inviting. Holiness isn’t about gritting your teeth. It’s about softening your heart. And here's the beautiful paradox: the more you trust that God is working in you, the more your life starts to change. Not because you’re striving harder, but because you’re surrendering deeper. The pressure is off. The process is on. You’re a work in progress—and that work is holy too.

Apply

When you mess up today (and you probably will), don’t spiral into shame. Pause. Breathe. Pray this simple line: “God, you’re still working in me.” Then respond in a holy way—apologize, reset, or course-correct, knowing you’re moving forward.

Pray

Jesus, I want to be holy—but I often fall short. Thank you that you never give up on me. Keep shaping me. When I’m tempted to quit or hide, remind me that you’re not finished yet. I trust your process more than my performance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.