Imperfect People
We are imperfect beings always prone to act against what we know to be right or true. Our actions are often contrary to what we believe is the right thing to do. The apostle Paul said it this way:
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15
We justify our actions by cultural norms, behaviors, and rules that guide society. These norms become the guiding principles of life. If the general public does it or believes it, actions are seemingly justified. If the crowd is moving in a general direction, we fall in. Cultural norms essentially become truth, dictating life as we know it. This is a normal pattern of life.
Christ disrupts this pattern.
When one has faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives within them. The Spirit guides them to truth (John 14). Cultural norms are no longer the standard, but God’s Word are the guiding principles. Friction exists between the message and actions of the world and the message of the Bible.
A personal battle ensues. The spirit driving the truth of the land battles the Spirit pointing to Biblical truth. The ensuing spiritual battle is described in Galatians 5.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17
Two differing “truths” exist for one’s life, and a wide gap exists between the two. With each passing generation, it seems the gap between cultural truths and Biblical truth widens. As the gap widens, we try to reason our way to reconciliation by redefining Biblical truth, creating man-made gray areas, or saying things like “God’s Word is outdated, not applicable to today’s cultural norms.”
Everyone faces this spiritual battle. Daily, the war rages, and we will all lose battles. The Spirit will guide to truth, but we will side with the “truth” of society.
But, we serve a God of grace, and this is precisely why the Word became flesh, “to testify to the truth.” Christ came to cover our imperfections. He gave us the Holy Spirit to perfect us as we journey (Galatians 3:3), although we will never achieve perfection on this earth.
We will fail, make bad choices, and act in ways that we do not believe to be true. We will lose daily battles. But, rest knowing that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, never leaves or forsakes. We have a permanent guide directing us to the truth, the Perfector for the imperfect.
Impact others. Live generously.
Follow my blog.