Embracing Faith and Community

Have you been caught up in the trap of becoming THE PERFECT CHRISTIAN? I've been there! So often, especially when we have grown up in the church, we get caught up with the hype of becoming The Perfect Christian, which is not even possible. Somewhere between the misuse of scripture, the misguiding of leaders, and the mishandling from long-time church goers and their ideals about what a good Christian brother or a good Christian sister should look like, we lose sight of what it actually is to be a follower of Christ. We become full of condemnation, against others and ourselves. This is a dangerous trick of the enemy because he will convince us that it is up to us to save ourselves! Think about that. We know that it is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are saved and that it is only through Christ where we receive our salvation and the promises that are attached to this sacrifice. And what a privilege it is! Jeremiah 17:7 says, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Our confidence should rely solely on God and not on ourselves. When we expect perfection from ourselves, we expect it of others- and Saints...it is just not possible. But instead, we should look to our Heavenly Father, the perfector of our faith. 

When Jesus speaks to us through His word in Matthew 5:48 and He tells us to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect", He is not speaking on the definition of perfection that we all have come to know, but of the Greek meaning for perfect which is "to be completed in Christ". Remember the scripture in James 1:4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (KJV) It is through the "capacity to accept" the ways of the Lord and the Lord only, that we be made perfect. 

We have one job! One main job that is, which is to lead others to the fulfillment of Christ. We are called to "encourage one another and build each other up", 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We are not to condemn one another! I do believe that we are expected to hold each other accountable and lead as Godly examples when purposing to introduce non-believers to Christ. This should always be led with love. How many people are out in this world living a life of fear? People, who are living in fear of the past, fear of the present, and fear of the future. Enticing them to lead a life of perfection when they already feel so far from it...is daunting at best and it makes it impossible for one to think they are remotely capable of achieving such a lifestyle...what to wear, what to do, where to go, where to be, when to come, when to go...so much confusion! 

Our mantle should be an expression of love, an extension of God's grace- the Gospel of Christ. We will at times miss the mark but through Christ, we will be made whole. Through Christ, we will be made perfect. As we draw closer to the Lord, our desires will begin to change, and we will truly begin to practice living a life pleasing and acceptable to Him, not without flaws, not without mistakes. This lifestyle cannot be achieved with the perfect hair, the perfect house, the perfect career or the appearance of a perfect life, but a life worth living because Jesus died for us; a life dedicated to walking closer to God each day, a little bit closer than we did yesterday... that is a Perfect Christian.

This blog is a place where you can find inspiration, stories, and reflections on the Christian faith from a real life perspective. Everyone's spiritual journey is unique and valuable, and it is the hope that The Perfect Christian.com blog can be a source of inspiration and encouragement for you. Whether you are looking for practical guidance, thought-provoking ideas, or simply a place to connect with others who share your beliefs, you are invited to explore this blog and join the conversation.