Living in an imperfect world.

There is much in the news today to remind us that we live in an imperfect world.  There are many who thought justice happened and many who did not think justice happened in the George Zimmerman trial.  The violence in Iraq escalated this last weekend.  The growing distrust of our own government and the seemingly inability for our politicians to get along and pass a bill that will actually unite us.  This list could go on and on but the thought of this blog this morning is how do we live in this kind of world and still remain sane and walk a fruitful life for Jesus Christ.  First, recognize that there is only one who is perfect and that is God.  Jesus Christ lived a perfect life but yet He was put to death but this was in the plan of God for the forgiveness of sin for the world.  If only God is perfect it means there is no perfect government, business, church, justice system or people of any race or color.  To expect perfection out of the imperfect will always lead to frustration and confusion.  That does not mean we lower our standards of doing the right thing but it does mean that everyone from time to time fails to meet the standard of doing the right thing.  This is where a little more of love and mercy would be very helpful while living in an imperfect world.  Second, if God alone is perfect then it is reasonable to come to the conclusion that He alone has the right to set the standard by which we ought to live and conduct ourselves in this world.  What happens when imperfect people set the standard?  You have an imperfect standard.  For that reason and several more it is nearly impossible for good people to agree completely on what the standard ought to be for life in this world.  Allowing God's Word to be our foundation for what we think and for how we ought to live will help us greatly in living in an imperfect world.
There is much more that could be said on this topic but if we adopt just these two points I believe you will be more adjusted to live in an imperfect world which means you will be able to please God in greater ways at the same time.
May the God of all love and mercy be with you.

Pastor John