Is it wrong to want to have everything just right around the house? My husband says I'm a perfectionist, and he says it drives him crazy when I start acting like this. I guess I am a bit obsessive about having a clean house and things like that—but didn't Jesus tell us to be perfect? — Mrs. J.L.

It's true that Jesus once told His followers to "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Although we will never be completely perfect this side of heaven, this should be our goal.

The perfection Jesus was talking about, however, has to do with being free from sin. Sin isn't only something we do wrong—a bad habit, for example, or ignoring the needs of others (although that's part of it). Sin is like a disease —a spiritual disease that has infected our souls and constantly drags us down. And we are all infected with this disease, for we have all turned our backs on God. As the Bible says, "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10, NKJV).

This is why we need Christ, for only He can take away our sins and give us the power to live the way we should. When Jesus died on the cross, He became the final and complete sacrifice for all our sins. All our sins were placed on Him, and He took the judgment we deserved. When we trust Him as our Lord and Savior, He forgives and cleanses us, and we become perfect in God's eyes.

Have you asked Christ to come into your life—or are you trusting in your own goodness for your salvation? Don't make that mistake, but by faith open your heart to Christ today. Then ask God to help you focus on what is really important in life.