Christians Are Not Perfect
It is true that Christians:
- sin;
- are tempted by evil thoughts and desires;
- can be selfish and ask, "What's in it for me?"
- fear death at times and try not to think about it;
- may trust in money, prestige, and power for security;
- can put on a religious front or act insincerely;
- may be tempted to think that God will overlook their faults because they are no worse than other people;
- sometimes consider attending church a Sunday morning religious duty;
- may not always radiate the joy and enthusiasm that faith in Christ brings;
- often fail to demonstrate in their lives in perfect love and forgiveness God has shown in Jesus Christ.
It is also true that Christians:
- are forgiven their sins because Jesus Christ suffered on the cross, died, and rose from the grave as the Savior of the world;
- know and experience a new kind of life;
- grow in grace and produce fruits of the Spirit;
- rejoice in God's abundant forgiveness;
- attend church to hear God's Word and receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion;
- treasure the Bible as God's Word through which God reveals the Good News of everlasting life in Christ;
- are guided through life by the power of the Holy Spirit given them in Baptism;
- serve Christ by serving others;
- demonstrate the love of God by their actions;
- do not despair over their failures and mistakes since God stands ready to forgive and receive them again and again;
- persevere through life's struggles and face even death confident of ultimate victory, because in His resurrection Jesus Christ has won the victory for them;
- by grace bear their crosses patiently, knowing that suffering produces the image of Christ in them.
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