Nobody’s perfect?
We all know “nobody’s perfect.” We tell that to ourselves every day for the emotional reassurance. Some days, we have to say it many times.
Jesus said, “be perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The Greek here is more clearly understood as referring to maturity or completeness, so we’re off the hook on that one. But what about the maturity and completeness that Christ was encouraging us toward? These are positive aspects of character that we can and should be striving for. Constantly reciting “nobody’s perfect,” stunts growth and halts spiritual progress.
It’s true, we can’t be perfect, but we can be “current.” That’s the voice of the Spirit. Being up to date with your conscience is like being up to date on your mortgage payments. You can feel good about where you’re at in your current progress even though you know you still have a long way to go. Mortgage companies even refer to payment history’s as “perfect” when all payments are current and on time. But they say “perfect.” knowing that a large portion of the total pay off still remains unpaid.
Sinless perfection is never implied in any obligation in life nor by God. That’s the voice of the Devil. I cannot recall anything or anyone in my entire lifetime that ever demanded that I be perfect. It’s an illusion. I do recall repelling obligations however, with the incontestable cry of ,”nobody’s perfect.” It’s weaponized whining.
Standards can be so low that any higher obligation is resented, labeled as perfection and dismissed. “Nobody’s perfect” is a cop-out for delinquency. Serial killers have pleaded “nobody’s perfect.”
It’s the inescapable guilt that, makes us resort to the “nobody’s perfect” defense. Modern counseling actually diagnoses “perfectionism” for some clients in an attempt to make them feel less guilty about themselves.
But being current with your conscience is true health. It’s doable and virtuous with untold benefits, and if you come short, the real answer is to simply fall back onto the mercies and unconditional love of God who knows more than anyone how imperfect we are.
This is the maturity that Christ is referring to. His Grace puts this within our power. The truth sets us free, not lowering the bar or shrinking back from responsibility. And even when we fulfill our current responsibilities for today, we still won’t be perfect, but we will be current.
I love the way Andrew Wommack puts it, “I haven’t arrived, but I’ve left.”
We are promised Grace for our obligations, especially the most challenging ones. Wimping out with “nobody’s perfect” rationalizing can leave you missing out on the “ought to” categories of your life where tremendous blessings await. I ought to lose some weight, for example.
Sure, “nobody’s perfect” may be a temporary comfort and suppress feeling bad but we also need to acknowledge “I can do all things through Christ.” This is what Paul recited referring to huge challenges like physical beatings and shipwrecks. Even then, he knew he still wasn’t perfect, just as all the people who have shed a few pounds know they aren’t perfect, just better.
“Nobody’s perfect” thinking, is deceiving. It can make us fall behind on “payments” in behaviors that we owe ourselves and the blessings that come with them. It stifles inspiration and energy. We are the losers in that delinquency. Of course you’re not perfect, but that doesn’t limit achievement. Parking on the excuse of “nobody’s perfect” does.
Don’t remain parked on the excuse of “nobody’s perfect.” That’s a “handicapped” parking space. There is no parking space designated for the “imperfect!” Being imperfect does not imply that you’re disabled, unable or dysfunctional. The fully functional and super achievers are all imperfect. Peter lived in the fast lane of life. Thankfully his imperfections were highlighted for all to see. You don’t have to be perfect to move forward with your life.
A clear current account, is always just a confession away. His mercies are always fresh, waiting to wipe the slate clean, again. As imperfect beings, we need that.