Can we live with the fact that we're not perfect?

Is it true that many of us want perfection in OTHERS?

Here's a short list of those we expect or hope to be error-free --

Political and religious or spiritual leaders,

Co-workers, classmates, teachers, spouses, children,

Auto mechanics, doctors, dentists,

and nearly anyone who serves and gets paid for it.

When they make a mistake, are we quick to forgive or YELL?

Is it easy for us to point out errors?

Is it common for us to judge their deficiencies as being who they are?

"Oh, that's just the way you are. You always do that, which I hate!"

Do we say or think to ourselves,

"I could remove that little weakness."

But could we, if we have a large weakness? Luke 6:42

If they're NOT perfect, can we accept that spiritual growth to maturity is a lifelong journey for us, too?

WALK IN JESUS' PATH, ONE STEP AT A TIME 1 Peter 2:21

The Lord Jesus Christ IS perfect.

He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.

When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate;

When He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him Who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:22-23

When we error, Jesus can say to us as He did to others,

"Follow Me." Matthew 4:18-22; 8:22; Luke 9:59; John 1:43; 21:22

IF WE KNOW WE'RE NOT PERFECT

Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees.

"Go away from me, Lord," he said, "for I am a sinful man."

For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Luke 5:8-10

Paul wrote,

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12

John affirmed humanity's imperfection,

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

We know our past life and sins, don't we? Romans 6:20-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:13; 1 Peter 1:14; 4:3

WHY SHOULD WE REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM?

We can have compassion on others, as we give them mercy, not punishment. Jude vs.22-23

We continue to go and learn what this means,

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Matthew 9:13

Under the Law of Moses, even top spiritual leaders weren't perfect.

Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.

That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. Hebrews 5:1-3

And NOW the New Testament's High Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

For we do not have a high priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one Who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

When faced with our imperfections and those we live with and encounter, let's work on ourselves individually FIRST.

Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:16

And as we do, then we can help others to know the Savior personally. John 3:16-17; Romans 5:1; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 John 4:14

But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Your thoughts?

R. Jason