Watch the video below by Steve McVey, Christian Religion Lie #73 “Nobody Is Perfect” and my comments follow…
Sounds strange that this would be a lie right?
The reason why this sounds strange is we look at the behavior of people to determine their perfection–BUT God looks at the heart. God looks at the SPIRIT of a person.
Here’s how it works…
We humans are “trichotomous” creatures:
- We have a SPIRIT – Who we really are
- With a SOUL – our mind, will, emotions, and personality…
- Inside a BODY – our flesh, limbs, body…
Why is this important?
Your spirit is who you really are
And if you’re a believer in Christ then at your spirit level you are now alive. Your spirit is actually that of God — a divine one–the Holy Spirit. The life of Christ is in you.
So when God looks at you, God sees who you really are — your spirit.
He sees His Son, Jesus, not…
- Your behavior…
- who you tell people you are…
- your “good deeds”
- your “bad deeds”
- your faults, insecurities, and shortcomings…
- your good habits, strengths, and gifts…
God sees your core, who you really are, your spirit. And that spirit is the Spirit of Christ, The Spirit of God, The Holy Spirit, which is of course…
PERFECT in every way!
Now, here’s the thing: Your behavior won’t match up all the time.
That’s why it feels right, it feels true when you hear “nobody is perfect” because you don’t SEE yourself as perfect. Because you’re judging by your soul and body and using that to determine who you are. Whereas God judges your spirit to determine who you are.
The truth is: you’re clothed in Christ–made perfect by the sacrifice of Christ — perfected in your spirit.
Your spirit is what really matters, it is who you really ARE.
What’s the problem with this lie?
The problem today is everyone wants to work on their behavior to become “perfect” work from the outside in. Focusing on the soul and body and trying to make them better, is the focusing on “works”.
The law, was a way of keeping the body and soul in check–working from the outside it, but it never works to produce perfection or righteousness. Hebrews 7:15-19 (the message, emphasis mine) says:
“But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—”priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek.” The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.”
So you see, the way to perfection is not found in a law, commandments, good behavior, following guidelines, rules or regulations… NO… it is found in a PERSON — and that person is Christ.
Reading further in Hebrews Chapter 10 we see (amplified Bible, emphasis mine) starting in verse 1:
” 1FOR SINCE the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come–instead of fully expressing those things–it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].
2For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin.
3But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for],
4Because the blood of bulls and goats is powerless to take sins away…”
You see the things WE do (at the soul and body level) are powerless to take away our sins for good, for once and for all. They’re an incomplete solution. But continuing in verses 10-14 we see what DOES take away our sins for good AND makes us holy and perfected (amplified Bible, emphasis mine):
“10 And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One).
11Furthermore, every [human] priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over again, which never are able to strip [from every side of us] the sins [that envelop us] and take them away–
12Whereas this One [Christ], after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,
13Then to wait until His enemies should be made a stool beneath His feet.
14For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.”
So you see…
Because of Christ–you ARE perfect!
Perfected in Christ, because you ARE in Christ and Christ is in you. Where it counts–in your spirit. So don’t believe this lie any longer. Stop focusing on your “outer person” (sould and body) and accept the truth that you are perfect because of Christ… and your behavior and such will fall in line.
With Love 
Caleb
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Jessica 08.19.08 at 12:31 am
Well I may not agree on every single detail of this, but overall I must say that it makes sense. I do think that a spirit as you call it, even though I may use different terminology, defines a person, and this is truly how we should be judged.
You Caleb never fail to amaze me with your writing, I love reading it.