The events surrounding the actions of our President continue to unfold on almost a daily basis. Even though we have been subjected to the present scandal for over a year, it does not appear the controversy is going to go away very soon. Personally, my following of the events going on in Washington has turned into a pastime that I love to hate! Just when I've gotten sick of hearing about the story any more, it is not too long before I'm in front of the television trying to find out what more has happened in the saga. While I do not wish to enter into the political discussion that is currently one of the main topics of many Americans, I do want to discuss one of the many concerns I have about those who are seemingly willing to defend the President to the death.
As the historic vote on impeachment by the House of Representatives neared, I heard continued statements by several ranking politicians arguing that no one is perfect - and it is hypocritical to hold the President to such a high moral standard. There it is. That old, often used phrase: no one is perfect. This phrase seems to be the popular "crutch to fall upon" by some people when they are confronted by charges of improper behavior or the lack of moral standards. Those who seek to justify themselves by using this "crutch" often charge their accuser of holding them to an extreme level of morality and conduct. This pattern is most tragic! However, I believe all would agree that the above logic has become firmly entrenched in American society from the top down. Could this be why the moral standards in our nation are crumbling before our eyes?
Is it true that no man is perfect? Certainly! 1 John 1:8, 10 is one of the most understandable passages in the Bible. John writes: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.ÉIf we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, sin has been a problem that has confronted all men. Because of this, man has become separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Solomon stated there is not a just man on the earth who does good and does not sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20). All men are prone to give into temptation from time to time and will fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Since the Bible clearly states that no man is perfect, is that an excuse to continue in or to condone sin? Is that proper justification to escape justice and the eventual punishment for iniquity? Certainly not! Those who have the kind of mindset that is being dealt with in this writing seek to dumb down or minimize the seriousness of sin. The one who seeks to justify himself with this popular phrase needs to realize the seriousness of sin. Where does the temptation to sin come from? He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). How many of us would like to be associated with the devil? Would a rational person want to have anything to do with him or his influence?
This excuse is often used to justify failure. If used enough, one can easily see how the argument against moral standards gains ground. It almost seems that some are beginning to feel that "It doesn't matter what I do, because I'm going to sin anyway." When reading the Scriptures, one will not find such rationalization anywhere. Instead, man is urged to fight off every temptation. Man is told by God that he can and should be successful against the wiles of the devil. How? Paul writes: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must fight the devil. We must fight temptation, and be willing to seek out the way of escape that God has provided. This is why there is no excuse for sin!
Brethren and friends: we will sin! Make no mistake about it. While we should do our best to fight temptation, we will fail sometimes. What we do after we fall suspect to the temptations is the key! To only seek to deny, deny, deny our error is not the path of God. To seek to lessen our sin by claiming that nobody's perfect is not God's way of receiving forgiveness. We have to realize our sin for what it is: an abomination before God. Upon realizing that, it is imperative that we confess the sin before God and seek His forgiveness. We must also be willing to accept any consequences that come our way because of the sin. While forgiveness may be given, this does not in anyway rule out consequences.
The truth that is presented in Rom. 3:23 is evident to all. Let us not seek to use it as a rationalization for sin, but as an encouragement to do better when we trespass against God's law. We need to elevate ourselves to God's standard, and not seek to lower ourselves to the norms of the world.
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 1/10/99.