Do we send the wrong message that we Christians are perfect?  When a well-known brother or a sister in Christ falls into sin, it’s so embarrassing to the church. When a “famous Christian” does the very thing he’s preached against all these years, we want to run and hide. We either hang our heads in shame or we point our fingers; we’re just not sure how to feel or respond.

And then, to add to our angst, the world mocks us.  They mock us partly because that’s what Godless people do; but also could it be in part that we’ve implied that all our faults and weaknesses, and tendencies towards particular sins vanishes when we become followers of Jesus? Is the image of ourselves more important than the reality?

My reality is that I’m 100% human. I love deeply, but I can also be rude and angry.  I enjoying giving to those in need, but I’m tempted to buy in excess. I truly delight in God’s earth and the beauty around me. But sometimes I’m quick to point out flaws and unattractiveness in others.

But I also believe in Jesus and His power to save me, give me life, and make my heart clean and pure. He helps me reflect His character. He reminds me who I really am and that I matter to Him. He helps me release things that don’t belong to me. He gives me the courage and love to face my relationships in a healthy, productive way.

But I will fail. This is not meant to be an excuse for indulging in my weaknesses, but to understand that it is only through God’s power that, daily, moment-by-moment, I have any victory at all.

Hopefully my failures won’t be on front page news. More importantly, I hope my mistakes won’t discourage another person from trusting in the One who has given me a new heart.

But I’m no different than any other believer in Jesus, whether it’s a modern day celebrity Christian, or King David, Bathsheba, or Rahab. If 15 seconds of the worst of my life were shown on a life-size screen, no one would follow me.  But I hope they follow Jesus.  He’s the perfect One, not me.