Flawlessly Created

You are altogether beautiful, my darling;
there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:7 NIV)

I was recently part of an online discussion on MODsquad regarding this Scripture verse. It was a discussion, I might add, that had me pondering Scripture all day long, as well as the days following.

What do you think when you read this verse? I wonder if it’s anything like my first reaction was.

“You are altogether beautiful, my darling…”

As I read this first line, I felt comforted to hear God’s sincere opinion of me.

“There is no flaw in you.”

Instantly the comfort was gone as I thought, “yeah, right.” If I’d taken the time, I could have listed the flaws I’d seen just that morning.

These two reactions happened within seconds, and just as quickly I dismissed the entire verse. But of course, I kept thinking about it. Was I telling God His workmanship was flawed?

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 NIV)

God created each of us perfectly in His very own image, so where do all the flaws we find in ourselves come from?

Sin.

Once sin entered the world, we would no longer know ourselves the way God created us. Our flaws come from our sinful nature and the sinful world we live in. We are all too aware of how we compare to others in looks, talents, what we have and don’t have, and we reflect it all back to ourselves.

We forget to consider what God thinks and we concern ourselves more with the opinions of others. How can we ever hope to overcome our flaws and sinful nature? The simple answer is…we can’t.

On my own, I am unable to conquer my imperfections and sinful desires, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am washed clean.

God created each of us and knows us intimately. He loves us, despite our flaws, insecurities, poor choices, and desire to meet society’s standards.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT)

God does not look at us the way we see ourselves; nor does He judge us the way others do. God knows each of us for who we are in His sight, how He created us, and the way in which He is working on us. Sin doesn’t define us—God does.