Nobody's Perfect

“Nobody’s perfect.”

How easily those words roll off the lips. After all, it is true, “nobody’s perfect.”
How often do you think that simple statement is used as an excuse?

What are we really saying when we say "Nobody's perfect"?

Nobody’s perfect. So, ‘I’ am not a perfect human being. Since I am not perfect, it is clear that God did not expect perfection, otherwise He might have created me differently. In fact, my imperfection is the reason for God's grace. The grace of God covers my imperfection. So, it is not bad if I sin because God doesn’t expect me to be perfect and ‘do right’ ALL the time, otherwise he wouldn’t have offered grace.

Surely you can see the silly reasoning.

The Apostle Paul cut through this senseless way of thinking. After assuring Christians that God’s grace was greater than their sin, he continued with a rhetorical question (in Romans 6:1):

Are we to continue in sin that Grace may increase?

So, it is true that no one is perfect. And it is true that God recognizes our imperfect humanity. Yet, it is also true that God is holy and he expects those who follow Christ to be holy. (See 1 Peter 1:15.) So, you might say that God is understanding of our humanity but also demanding.

How do we make sense of this? How can God demand holiness and purity and righteousness, yet at the same time recognize that it is humanly impossible for people to measure up to His flawless character? Or, from a different perspective, how can God be loving and understanding and tolerant of imperfect mankind, yet demand that disciples of Christ rise to His high standard of moral purity and holiness?

We must understand that God is true to his character. Since He is completely pure and holy, then He cannot tolerate impurity or unholiness; He cannot tolerate sin. It is against his nature.

However, we must also recognize that God is love. Love is just as much a part of God’s character as holiness. Yet these two attributes do not struggle against one another. God does not react in holiness in one instance and then in love in another instance. He is not divided in His mind wondering whether it is better to love or better to maintain holiness. He is completely holy at all times and He loves at all times. The two attributes exist in perfect harmony in the character of God.

We must recognize that God’s love does not ignore or overlook sin. Rather, God’s love toward mankind motivated Him to take action regarding man’s sin problem. Instead of lowering His standard of holiness He provided the means by which mankind can become holy like Him.

That is what the cross of Christ is all about. It was an expression of God’s love for mankind; a sacrifice that was voluntarily made for sinful man. On the cross Jesus was forsaken by God as He died for you and for me so that we would not have to suffer rejection and death.

Yet at the same time, the cross of Jesus is an expression of God’s justice. God's wrath is justified because He is holy. Sin stands opposed to the very character of God. The death of Jesus was a voluntary and sinless sacrifice for sin. His sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God.

The death of Christ on the cross expressed God’s love and His holiness. God created man in His image. He still desires that we come to be just like Him. He has provided the way.