Imperfection is no excuse…
I have often found myself frustrated with decisions made by those close to me. I admit that I make bad decisions and get frustrated at myself as well. What makes my so frustrated with some of the decisions some of my friends make, though, is instead of taking responsibility for their actions they make excuses. This is something I guess that I must also admit to doing from time to time. It’s one particular excuse that makes me cringe.
I can remember the first time I heard it: “I’m not perfect.”
Typing it made me shiver. It’s so true, but still so wrong. Admittedly no living person will or ever has lived a life of perfection, aside from Jesus. We are fallen people living in a fallen world. If we were perfect we wouldn’t need a Savior… a way to get to God. That’s why Jesus lived a perfect life. Because we can’t. Even the whole Bible is filled with imperfect people (still aside from Jesus). So why does this excuse not work? Simple. Because it’s not an excuse. Let me explain…
The life of a Christian is a journey. In it’s beginnings it was referred to as “The Way.” Paul called is a race, or a marathon, at times. Is is a process. This is called sanctification. The word sanctification literally refers to the act or process of making holy or setting apart. As Christians we are to constantly be heading toward a state of holiness. A state of perfection.
Using “I’m not perfect” or any other excuse similar to it is basically saying you’ve given up on trying to be perfect. We are not just called to be followers of Christ who will stay in our sins having to constantly look back and say, “Opps. It looks like I did it again. Oh well, I’m not perfect and besides, God forgives.” This is not the life we’re called to. In his first letter to his “dear Children”, or his church, John wrote about walking in darkness and said that those who do it are not in the Truth. James tells his readers to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers also. How we live DOES matter. We will mess up, but that is not the end
As Christians we are to strive for perfection. Let us never use imperfection as an excuse.
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy…’” -Lev. 19:2
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16
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