Imperfection

Okay... I know the title of this post isn't very positive especially since this is the start of the new year, but I have my reasons. Let me post this scenario to you, suppose a friend that you knew for some time already pulled you aside and told you that he cannot stop drinking or gambling etc... If you want to push it to the logical extreme, maybe this guy friend you know comes up to you and tells you he keeps having sexual fantasies about men. How would you react?

Would you tell this friend of yours that he/she will burn in hell? Would you start to shake you head from side to side in that "holier than thou" attitude and start throwing bible verses at him/ her? Or will you identify yourself with him/her? After all we have all sinned and have struggled with certain issues in our life. I mean... in God's eyes sin is sin, it does not matter what sin... right?

I spent the dying days of 2007 reflecting on this issue because of a book I read. It is called "Church. Why bother?" by Philip Yancey. In it Philip Yancey shared the story of an alcoholic friend of his. When he(Philip) asked his friend what he needs the most when he feels tempted to go back to the bottle, his friend answered, "I need a sinner to be there for me, not a saint that will tell me what to do."

I found that answer refreshing and good, not to mention quite true. During the course of my Christian life, I have shared my struggles with various leaders only to be talked down to with phrases that starts with, "you should do..." and ends with "cause the Bible says..."

I firmly believe that Christians (esp. Christian leaders) have been taught to display perfection and infallibility so much so that we keep all our imperfections to ourselves. But is this healthy? Coming from a world where the church focuses on testimonies where God was faithful, life is perfect and I am the "happiest person in the world." It is no surprise no one comes up and confesses that he/ she is a alcoholic or a gambling addict. Honestly, I think we would all be shocked at such a testimony because it does not fit into the picture of the perfect church. I even think some of us would take effort to avoid him/her after that.

But here's a thought, how about sharing about how God gave you the strength to go through another day at the job you hate with colleagues you can't stand? Or sharing about how God gave you the resolve to stop gambling or drinking. Or stuff like that?

Okay, back to the point. The way I see it is this. We are all saved by the same grace, given to us (all be it undeserved) from the same God. Doesn't makes us all the same? So my new year's resolution is this, to be a "sinner" to offer a helping hand when my friends fall and not to be a "saint" and just point the "judgement finger."