SEAL Team Training For Christians

Several times a week, the instructors would line up the class and do a uniform inspection. It was exceptionally thorough. Your hat had to be perfectly starched, your uniform immaculately pressed and your belt buckle shiny and void of any smudges. But it seemed that no matter how much effort you put into starching your hat, or pressing your uniform or polishing your belt buckle — it just wasn’t good enough. The instructors would find “something” wrong.

Admiral William McRaven

For failing the uniform inspection, the student had to run, fully clothed into the surf zone and then, wet from head to toe, roll around on the beach until every part of your body was covered with sand. The effect was known as a “sugar cookie.” You stayed in that uniform the rest of the day — cold, wet and sandy.

Admiral William McRaven

There were many a student who just couldn’t accept the fact that all their effort was in vain. That no matter how hard they tried to get the uniform right — it was unappreciated. Those students didn’t make it through training.

Admiral William McRaven

Those students didn’t understand the purpose of the drill. You were never going to succeed. You were never going to have a perfect uniform. Sometimes no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform, you still end up as a sugar cookie. It’s just the way life is sometimes. If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.

Admiral William McRaven

How Are You Trying To Be Perfect?

Have you ever tried, really hard, to be perfect?

To never say the wrong thing, think the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, and always do the right thing?

No matter how hard you try there is always “something” that isn’t right.

Here are a few ways we try to deal with “perfection.”

Why Try If You Can't Be Perfect?

One response is to give up, or lower your standard.

“I’m not perfect” is not to be used as an excuse for disobedience or continuing in sin (Romans 6:1-5).

Just because you don't pass uniform inspection doesn’t mean they get rid of uniform inspection. It’s there to set a standard and goal you’re shooting for.

10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:10

Who Do You Trust To Be Perfect?

Christ told the parable of two men who went to the temple to pray (Luke 18:9-14). He told this parable because some “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (18:9).

One man prayed that God should be glad that he passed inspection every time. The other man prayed God be merciful to me the sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be [d]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship [a]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Phillipians 3:3-6

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead.

Phillipians 3:7-11

12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 3:12-14

How To Not Be A Sugar Cookie

Perfection is not possible yet but you can still lay hold of what Christ laid hold on you for.

Forget what is behind.

Keep on reaching forward to what is ahead.

Press on to the goal of the high calling of God in Christ.