“God uses imperfect people.”
“The gospel is perfect, the people are not.”
I’ve heard, and said, variations of these phrases many times.
It makes sense in theory, right?
The Plan is perfect.
But the Father only has mortals to work with here on earth.
And no matter how righteous some may be or how much love individuals might feel for God, it’s a fallen world.
Selfishness and pride and vanity will sneak in.
Weaknesses will manifest themselves in ways that hurt.
Misunderstandings happen even with good intentions.
People sin.
As we study people in the scriptures, especially many of the judges, we see a lot imperfections.
Ann M. Dibb said:
“Samson was born with great potential. His mother was promised, ‘He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines’.
“But as Samson grew, he looked more to the world’s temptations than to God’s direction.
“He made choices because they ‘pleaseth [him] well’ rather than because those choices were right.
“Repeatedly, the scriptures use the phrase ‘and he went down’ as they tell of Samson’s journeys, actions, and choices.
“Instead of arising and shining forth to fulfill his great potential, Samson was overcome by the world, lost his God-given power, and died a tragic, early death.”
Somehow, God works with imperfect people to make His perfect plan come to pass.
Thank goodness.
It can be disappointing to see the imperfections in people we admire, whether living now or in the past.
But it can be a beautiful experience, as we do throughout scripture, when we take the opportunities to see the good in these individuals.
There is always something good to learn.
But above all else, the real praise is to God.
To see His WORK moving forward, sometimes in spite of the people He has asked to assist.
All of these very imperfect people, in every dispensation, and yet God’s work keeps growing.
And in our own imperfect lives, God is not limited by our own limitations.
Even in us, God’s goodness, mercy, and power can be made manifest.
Praise the Lord for that!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
Artwork: “Samson Puts Down the Pillars” by James Tissot
