Although it may shock you, the one thing you’re doing wrong is trying to be perfect in your own strength. You’re like an athlete trying to jump across the Atlantic Ocean; you may make it farther than most people, but you’ll still fall woefully short.

Why is this? The Bible says something is wrong with us that makes it impossible for us to be perfect. That “something” is sin, which has corrupted our hearts and crippled our wills so much that no matter how hard we try, we’ll never be perfect. The apostle Paul discovered this was true in his own life: “What I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19).

This is why we need Christ, for only He can take away our sin and guilt, and replace them with His forgiveness and grace. He came to earth for one reason: to provide the way for us to become perfect in the eyes of God. He did this by taking upon Himself our sins and our judgment, and clothing us in His righteousness.

Don’t let your pride, or anything else, keep you from Jesus Christ. God loves you; He loves you so much that He wants you to become His child forever. Don’t trust your own righteousness any longer, but confess your sins to Christ and open your heart and life to His transforming power.