For whatever reason the No Perfect People Allowed theme keeps coming up in conversation after conversation. If you are tempted to think it is all me, it is not.
Even at that, I admit No Perfect People Allowed resonates with me.
It resonates because of all people, I know my imperfection, flaws, faults, and worse.
I know.
I know my shame.
I know and I am reminded every day.
Being a preacher is no boon either. Not only do I get to experience my own failures, I get to live the same things in the lives of those whom I love and minister with.
Because we are flawed, how do we make this ideal or this attitude of No Perfect People Allowed/ Come As You Are work when we are just as messed up as the next person–whether we know and acknowledge it or not?
We have to begin with honesty–being honest with ourselves–admitting we can be mean, hateful, spiteful, impatient, harsh, and judgmental. In many cases, we have to recognize–honestly recognize–our expectations are often impossibly high–even higher than what we expect of ourselves. When that is the case, no one can measure up.
And then it might be best to remind ourselves of some important lessons taught by Jesus in Luke 6.
Specks and planks? Absolutely. We can be extremely judgmental and intolerant because of the speck in another’s eye while a plank of ugliness juts out of our own. Since when were we given the authority or right to discriminate based on whose sins are worse?
Just before Luke 6:41-42 where Jesus talks about the specks and plank, he tells us to Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38) Could Jesus be talking about mercy and grace, understanding and patience?
I believe so. When you give grace, you receive grace.
Knowing my flaws, I recognize a need for all the mercy and grace available.
How about you?
No Perfect People Allowed/ Come As you Are means being like Jesus taught. Anything else misses his view of how we treat each other…
Les, Jr.
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lesjr
The best thing I can do is confess the fact that I’m not perfect, and yet the worst thing I can do is use that for an excuse to live below what God wants for my life.
Sadly, I’ve met too many people in this world that feel like the need to straighten up their life before coming to Jesus, yet they need to realize he wants us to come with our life screwed up.
Good thoughts Les
Blessings