Holiness and Humanity
The Tension Between Holiness and Humanity
Have you ever looked at someone you admire spiritually—maybe a pastor, a mentor, or even a close friend—and thought, "They seem to have it all together." It's easy to assume that the holiest person we know is free from flaws, struggles, or any kind of internal conflict. But the truth is, even the holiest person you know has some stuff—issues, imperfections, and challenges they are working through. This reality is part of the Christian experience. In this article, we explore how embracing our imperfections and struggles doesn't disqualify us from God’s calling; in fact, it can be a powerful part of our growth and ministry.
We live in a world that often elevates perfection—whether it's the perfect career, the perfect family, or even the perfect Christian life. But if we’re honest, perfection is an illusion. The Bible never promises a flawless life for believers. In fact, it teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and we are constantly in the process of being perfected. Philippians 3:12-14, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. The holiest people you know may be further along in their spiritual journeys, but they are still very much human, wrestling with the same struggles we all face.
The Holiest People Are Works in Progress
Even the apostle Paul, who is considered one of the greatest Christians of all time, confessed his struggle with sin. He said in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” If Paul, a man who wrote much of the New Testament, openly acknowledged his struggles, then surely we, too, can acknowledge our imperfections.
The holiest people are not immune to doubt, temptation, or failure. But the key difference is their response to those struggles. They recognize that their imperfections do not disqualify them from God’s love or calling. Instead, they lean into God’s grace, trusting that He is continually shaping them into His image.
Growth Through Imperfection
Our imperfections do not make us unworthy of God’s love or service. In fact, embracing the fact that we are all works in progress opens the door to authentic faith and growth. The Bible encourages us to come as we are, with all our "stuff," and allow God to transform us through His love and grace.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts God’s words to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we embrace our imperfections, we create space for God’s power to work through us, allowing Him to show His strength in our weakness.
The Holiest People Use Their Struggles to Minister
One of the greatest things we can learn from the holiest people we know is how they use their struggles to minister to others. It’s often our vulnerabilities and weaknesses that make us more relatable to those around us. When we allow God to work through our imperfections, we create opportunities for others to see His grace in action.
Jesus Himself was a man acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He didn’t shy away from hardship or struggle; instead, He used His experiences to minister to those in need. The holiest people follow this example, using their own stories of imperfection to help others navigate their challenges with faith and hope.
Embrace Your Journey of Imperfection
The reality is that even the holiest person you know has some stuff—whether it’s doubts, struggles, or unmet expectations. But this doesn’t mean they are any less loved by God or effective in their ministry. We are all on a journey of spiritual growth and maturation, and it’s through our imperfections that God’s glory shines the brightest.
Instead of striving for perfection, let’s lean into God’s grace and allow Him to work in us and through us—imperfections and all. The most impactful ministry often comes from a place of vulnerability, where we can honestly say, “I am a work in progress, but God is doing amazing things through my life.”
