perfection, aa meetings, and the purpose of the church

I can't figure out for the life of me why our culture is so obsessed with this idea of somehow attaining perfection. Especially in regards to Christianity. Don't we realize that we are, without a doubt, setting ourselves up for failure? Let's talk about the church for a minute. I'm pretty sure, last time I read my Bible at least, that no where in it does it say that in order to walk into that building, to be a part of that community, you have to meet this specific criteria, or be up to a certain standard, and that if you're not, well then you'd better be good at faking it and hope for the best, so that no one finds out the truth. In fact, my Bible even goes as far as to preach the exact opposite. So why does this seem to be the recurring theme when it comes to most churches here in the States in this day and age. It not only promotes absolute chaos and utter silliness, this trying to attain some unreachable goal; but I believe it completely displeases God, which totally contradicts everything that we are supposed to be about as Christians, doesn't it!?

Jesus himself hung out and made friends with the lowest of the lows, the people that the general public we're 'too good' to talk to, the tax collectors, the lepers, the prostitutes, the Samaritans and so on. He also spoke about coming to save the sick not those who are 'already well.' Which should be pretty encouraging considering that's each and every one of us when we stop pretending and remove the plastic 'my life is perfect' mask. Believe me, I know it's not an easy thing to do. I always picture being in an Alcoholics (or whatever is may be) Annonymous meeting where we're all sitting around in a circle taking turns saying  "Hello my name is [blank]" and then we spill our guts to everyone, telling them all the things we're struggling with. It may not happen quite as dramatically as that, but I feel like when we do own up to our sins, that's when things really start happening. That's where we find redemption. When we put ourselves out there and admit that we need help, that is when our healing process begins. Not to mention, it potentially opens the door for others to speak up as well. Those who may also have been 'fighting to hold on, but pretty good at faking it' for a long time because now they know they're not the only one. We'll never be truly free if we don't learn to admit our failures to one another. We have to find a way to be real in a world that is not only run by but also completely consumed with superficial materialism. He said the world wouldn't understand though, and of all the things He promised never once did He say it was going to be easy.

The Church that pleases Christ is the one that welcomes us all just as we are. It doesn't stop you at the door to check for issues or to ensure that you've 'got it all together' only to send you away with their dirty looks and wrongful judgments, if you don't. That doesn't mean they condone our sin or pat us on the back when what we really need is a kick in the butt; but rather, they befriend us, they tell us we're not alone in this and that believe it or not, they struggle right along side us because the truth is, we all struggle. Then they tell us what we need to hear, the God's honest truth in a way that doesn't condemn us but it does convict us. They tell us that no matter what is going on in our lives, we're never too far gone or past the point of no return because there is a God who's love for us is so deep and who's grace is sufficient and He's ready and willing to forgive if we're willing to repent. All along this process, as we laugh they rejoice with us, as we cry they mourn with us, and they become our family.

Together as one body of Christ, each with our own unique story and talents, we then use our personal testimonies to share with others. To give them hope, and to let them know that "Hey, guess what, I've been right where you are and I most certainly am no better than you." As Jesus Christ as our example we love, we serve, we speak, we pray; all in hopes of bringing Glory to His name and drawing more of His children into Himself. Not because we feel obligated to or because they 'need it' or it makes us feel good inside but simply because not too long ago, that was us and someone took the time. Someone was there to pick us up, to dust us off. Who showed us grace, and lead us to Christ and to our ultimate freedom. We want nothing more than for anyone and everyone we meet to experience this same gift we've been so freely given. This same joy and peace we now have in knowing that no matter what, at the end of the day, our hope is secure because He will eventually call us Home. When He does and we finally are made whole, and complete and standing in the presence of His Greatness, everything will fade away, nothing else will matter anymore and ALL things will be made right again. That, my dear friends, will be perfection.

Mark 2:15

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 

Matthew 21:31-32

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Luke 17:17

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

John 15:18

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end