Warning: This Is Something Everyone Does
This statement should be as no surprise to anyone. Everyone knows that “nobody’s perfect”. The Bible has a specific term for imperfection, impurity, or missing the mark: sin. So when Christians talk about sin really they are talking about being imperfect. Of course we have to measure against a standard to determine what’s perfect and what’s not and for the Christian the Bible is the standard for which everything in the world is judged. It tells us what is perfect and not so much including our thoughts, behavior, actions, and motives.
When looking at the world and ourselves through the lens of the Bible, we can quickly see the errors of our ways whether we are Christians or not. Suddenly we can agree with the Bible when it claims, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ESV) or “for there is no one who does not sin” (2 Chronicles 6:36).
This sin is the very thing that keeps us from entering into the presence of God for He demands perfection (see linked post on this.) and is foundational for understanding the need for the Gospel. If you do not believe that this is foundational to the Gospel, you will not see the need, nor will you have the desire to understand it.
And if you believe that you’re a good person who makes a few mistakes every now and then and this rigid standard may not apply to you consider what James writes to the church, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” (James 2:10 ESV)
All the more reason of our need of a mediator to become a bridge between God’s perfection and our imperfection.
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By David Zook, Pastor Morningside Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, AZ.
Physical for the Christian Soul 