We are imperfect people. Looking through the Scriptures, I see passages that challenge us to strive for perfection. For example, in Matthew 5:48, the writer challenges us with, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." When you take a glance at this verse, it should automatically eliminate the tendency to say rubbish like, "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven." I hear many believers say that and it makes me sick to my stomach. We should never make excuses for our complacent faith and worldly conformity with placing between us the factor of forgiveness. How can we express biblical forgiveness if we don't walk in the LIGHT of that forgiveness? (1 John 1:7).
With that being said, we are imperfect people striving for perfection. Paul writes, "but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."(1 Corinthians 13:10). This verse comes to us after a rich overview of various Spiritual gifts and the core of love in the body. Imperfection can be seen within the limitation of various giftedness. A perfect body of perfect believers would have perfect gifting for a perfect result. Let's face it, we aren't perfect. I work with a staff made up of various gifts. One staff member is a details person. This person will want details and answers to many questions. Another staff member is more laid back and goes with the flow of the day. One staff member has great people skills while another could work all day with contact with a person. Some can serve. Some can teach. We are all imperfect sinners saved by the matchless grace of Jesus. However, what makes the days more exciting is to strive and anticipate the Perfect. What brings unity to the church is the acknowledgment of the imperfect and the desperation for the Perfect. When the Perfect comes, there will be no need for spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts bring about the global mission of God. One day, when we receive the Perfect presence of His everlasting joy, we won't need to bring about His mission...because His mission will be complete.
With that being said, we are imperfect people striving for perfection. Paul writes, "but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."(1 Corinthians 13:10). This verse comes to us after a rich overview of various Spiritual gifts and the core of love in the body. Imperfection can be seen within the limitation of various giftedness. A perfect body of perfect believers would have perfect gifting for a perfect result. Let's face it, we aren't perfect. I work with a staff made up of various gifts. One staff member is a details person. This person will want details and answers to many questions. Another staff member is more laid back and goes with the flow of the day. One staff member has great people skills while another could work all day with contact with a person. Some can serve. Some can teach. We are all imperfect sinners saved by the matchless grace of Jesus. However, what makes the days more exciting is to strive and anticipate the Perfect. What brings unity to the church is the acknowledgment of the imperfect and the desperation for the Perfect. When the Perfect comes, there will be no need for spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts bring about the global mission of God. One day, when we receive the Perfect presence of His everlasting joy, we won't need to bring about His mission...because His mission will be complete.
When we come to the other side of glory, we will worship the Perfect One. We will be in His Perfect presence for all of eternity. Let us not live today with imperfect complacency but rather joyful anticipation for His presence.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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