Matthew 9:11-13
But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.
There is a widespread mistaken belief that believers should be perfect. Although this is expected of believers in Jesus Christ. However feigning to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, on the other hand, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we receive the new birth, God forgives us and gives us His nature which in turn we are to appropriate. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven.
In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness. With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him.
The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for living godly. We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God’s Word, faithful service, deepening our trust in God, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully, God matures us as we grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness (1 John 1:9), we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength, and confess with repentance when we have sinned.
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