Have you ever imagined “you” as the perfect person?
Where every time, all the time, with anyone, anywhere – you never do living “wrong” – always act “just right” inside yourself and out, without fail respond lovingly, without hesitation forgive any slight, any wrong against you, wholly loving who you’re with (‘agape’ love)?
Imagine You, a totally mature person who can correctly say before God all day, every day —
“I am…
…never irritated by anyone (re: raising my voice, changing into that distinct irritation inflection), scolding, correcting, condemning, disdainful, disgusted, challenging, putting-down, impatient
…never unloving, irritable, in a bad mood
…never snappy, sassy, nasty, pouty, moody, snarky
…never angry – to where you sin with it
…never spiteful, wishing harm on anyone, vengeful, pent-up with rage
…never jealous, envious, wanting what someone else has, wanting to possess their things
…never egocentric, egotistical, narcissistic
…never selfish, self-centered, contrary, negative in any way
…never lusting, lusty, sensual towards others, doing porn
…never “using others”, manipulative, manipulating for my own good
…never evil-minded
…never discontented, unsatisfied, dissatisfied, wanting more, feeling empty, unfulfilled.”
Have you tried actually being that perfect person? How’d it go? I’ve tried. Never even come close! But there really is no excuse for not being that perfect person. I just fail.
I tend towards excusing myself. It is so easy to explain it away, say… it’s not my fault, it’s your fault, I’m just too tired, too busy, not ready yet, that’s just the way I am, give me a break, don’t be so condemning of me, if only you were more (this or that). But the reality is: I’m not the person I wish I was. I am not the person I am striving to be.
Been working at it for 58 years! But failure is no excuse. I keep working at it!
Only Christ has ever been that perfect person, I think.
But thank God I’m not the same person I used to be. I have changed. I am slowly “conforming to the image of Christ” – more and more, little by little.
I don’t, but I could, at the end of each week – return home each Friday, walk in the door and (like that cartoon) shout to my wife:
“Honey, I’m home. And I’m new and improved!”
I am striving to be more and more like Christ every day. I refuse to settle for what is commonplace. I’ve raised the bar for what I expect from myself. I will not accept my sin as “just the way it is”. Christ is my model for living. What’s yours?
“Please be patient with me.
God has not finished me yet!”
FOR MORE:
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