Being an Imperfect Christian When the World Expects You To Be "Perfect"

Key Verses: Romans 3:10-12 NLT , Romans 3:23 NLT, Romans 12:1-12 NLT

God has made us all in his image and we his are masterpieces. God is perfect and we know that he does not make mistakes, but we, his children, make plenty of mistakes.

So then how can an imperfect person be the “perfect Christian”?

We can’t.

The bible refers to the word “perfect” as being complete, but along the way it has been twisted by worldly trends. This is why we can’t be what we call today’s “perfect Christian”.

If you are like me, then you attend church, every Christian event you can, and you definitely follow all of the inspirational and popular Christian accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

These accounts and bloggers have an amazing purpose, but personally it can be hard to follow without asking myself “why can’t I be a perfect Christian like them”?

So many of us Christians post and publicly talk about all the great and wonderful things that happen in our life because of God, but we never seem to talk about the raw, unedited, and unfiltered parts of our lives.

I think it is great that Nicole from a small town in North Carolina (throwing out random names here) is sitting outside with her morning Starbucks coffee and of course has her bible perfectly positioned in front of her and posts a perfect picture of it on Facebook for everyone to see.

Or when we scroll through our social media feeds and see this perfect picture of a bible with perfect straight highlighted passages and with a complimenting verse that they probably found on Pinterest for their caption.

I say this because I am guilty too of having to find that “perfect” verse to fit my perfect photo.

With these things and more, we become so consumed of the idea of a “perfect Christian” and we become envious people we barely know that we think portray this idea.

Admit it.. at some point you have been jealous or wanted to be like some “perfect Christian” who has the perfect hair, makeup, taste in clothes, and just reads the bible day and night and is just so... “perfect”.

We have all done it.

The problem is not looking up to those people, but it's putting all of our focus on trying to be like them and the rest of the world. Aside from the cute mug and bibles, they too have fallen short and we seem to forget that because they are just so “perfect”.

So at that point we are trying to be like this so called “perfect Christian”. But because of the simple fact that we can’t be a “perfect Christian”, we begin to think that we are not good enough for God’s glory and unconditional love, and it’s all because of our unrealistic expectations.

Although we are made in God’s image, I do not think that he wants us to be perfect. He just wants to be glorified and how can we do that if we are fixated on being perfect. God wants us to be complete and strive to be like him, not popular Christian bloggers and leaders. When you try to become more Christ-like, you experience how great God is and how he will never leave nor forsake you. If anything, you lean closer on God, which is what he wants.

In Romans 3:10-12, it reads “No one is righteous -- not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” (NLT)

This one verse came off very harsh the first time I read it, but the more I read, God made it so that “no one could have any excuses and remind us how sinful we are.” (Romans 3:19-20 NLT) BUT “God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirement of the law by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.” After all, “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:21-23 NLT)

So do not let these posts and images of people you think are perfect cause you to lose your way. Life is hard enough, BUT God has given us his world to make it to much easier. We have to get out of this idea that we have to do “this and that” so we can be perfect like “everyone else”.

God let us know in Romans 12:1-12 to “make our bodies and living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will find acceptable. To not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. To warn us to not think we are better than we really are, but to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves by measuring ourselves with the faith God has given us.

Because God has given us ALL different gifts for doing certain things well. And to love each other with genuine affection, and take delight with honoring each other. And serve him enthusiastically and to keep on praying”.

That passage sums up what it means to be perfect in God’s eyes, not the worlds.

Lastly, if you are an avid “perfect Christian” poster, That is great! Spread God’s word, but also be raw and personal.

Let those who look up to you know who you are outside of all the wonderful and great things.

Tell them your story of struggles and difficulties and that you are not perfect in any way shape, or form, according to the world, but perfect to God and that they are too.

At the end of the day we are ALL God’s children.

#god #christian #befree #iserveagreatgod #christianwoman #spreadhisword