Better, But Not Perfect

When Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), a prolific English journalist and writer, was asked, "Did you ever get to a point where you thought you were a good Christian?" He candidly responded, "No…No, I'm afraid not. But I'm better than I was."

The response given by Muggeridge reveals an apt description about what Christian life is. It isn't a life of perfection. Not even a life of dereliction. It is but a life of continuous sanctification. In living a Christian life, we are not as worse as we were nor will we be as perfect as we should be. It is a life of transition, not a state of life, from imperfection to perfection, from evil to good, from ungodliness to Christ-likeness. It is a life where we become better and better and better in our brief journey of life on earth.

Are you disappointed because your life isn't perfect? Focus on perfection and you will end up condemning yourself for not being so. Focus on the person Jesus Christ and you will find hope to keep going after Him amidst the storms of life. Is it not written, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith?" (Heb. 12:2)

Yes, there will be times we miserably fail, but Christ says, "Rise up and walk." There will be times we feel insecure, but Christ says, "Be strong and do not fear." There will be times we become anxious, but Christ says, "Trust Me." There will be times we fall in sin, but Christ says, "Repent and follow Me." There will be times we feel hopeless, but Christ says, "Rise up and cling unto Me." There will be times we are shattered, but Christ says, "Humble yourself under My mighty hand and I will make your life better."

As I write this, I am remembered of a work I had given to a carpenter. In the process of his work, I showed some flaws here and there and questioned the work of his hands. His response went something like this, "I need to still work on them. I haven’t finished my work yet." Likewise, when we are disappointed looking at our lives, marked with flaws, failures and weaknesses, I think, our Divine Carpenter is saying, "I haven’t finished My work on you yet."

"God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through" (1 Thes. 5:23).

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