You Do Not Have To Be Perfect

"Often I have been asked, 'Brennan, how is it possible that you became an alcoholic after you got saved?' It is possible because I got battered and bruised by loneliness and failure; because I got discouraged, uncertain, guilt-ridden, and took my eyes off Jesus. Because the Christ-encounter did not transfigure me into an angel."

-Brennan Manning. The Ragamuffin Gospel

I am reading this book as part of one of two Bible studies I am in this semester. So far, I love this book. Just the first chapter has opened my eyes in ways I didn't expect.

I chose to focus on this quote today because it meant a lot for me and I hope it means a lot for you. The whole meaning of this quote is that we don't have to be perfect once we accept Christ into our lives. Actually, we are bound to not be perfect. We are bound to make mistakes. We may even take our eyes off Jesus at times.

It is part of the human condition to not be perfect.

"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

-Romans 3:23

I've made plenty of mistakes since I became a Christian. But that doesn't mean I'm not a Christian. It just means that I need Christ in my life even more so I can be forgiven for my sins and my mistakes and learn to not make those mistakes again.

How fulfilling is the statement "You do not have to be perfect"?

You do not have to do everything right. You can do your best, but not everything has to be exactly perfect. There is room for mistakes. As a perfectionist, I take great comfort in this statement.

You do not have to be perfect.