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Have you ever felt the need to be perfect? At some point in our lives, we all have. We’ve all somehow believed the enemy’s lie that we have to be perfect to live a good life or achieve anything worthwhile.
While this is what the world wants us to believe, it could not be further from God’s truth. If we open our Bibles, we’ll often find one theme that stands out: God consistently uses imperfect people to accomplish His divine purposes.
This captivating fact is threaded throughout the pages of the Bible, where we encounter people whose shortcomings become the canvas on which God painted His redemptive masterpiece.
Through their stories, we can gain insights into the impact of divine grace and the reasons behind God's preference for imperfect people.
God Uses Imperfect Vessels Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:7, says: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
This bible verse beautifully describes the concept of God using imperfect people to carry His divine purpose, allowing His strength and righteousness to shine through our weaknesses.
5 Imperfect People God Used In the Bible
The Scriptures are filled with stories of people who, despite their imperfections, were chosen by God to play major roles in His plan. Their stories resonate across time, inspiring us to believe that our weaknesses can be transformed into strengths by the grace of God. Here are five amazing examples:
Moses - Overcame Inadequacy with Obedience
Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and he initially resisted God's call due to his speech problem and perceived inadequacies (Exodus 3:11). Still, God assured Moses that He would be
with him (Exodus 3:12).
Later on in the scripture, God convinces Moses again saying: "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (Exodus 4:11, NIV).
Moses then chose to rely on God and that reliance enabled him to accomplish many great things. His story shows how God's power is perfected in our weakness.
David - From Shepherd to King, Never Perfect
David was a shepherd boy who was anointed by God through a prophet to be king. However, his journey from the pasture to the throne was marked by both triumphs and moral failures alike.
He was an imperfect man that made many grave mistakes. His affair with Bathsheba and his actions directly after was the worst of them. However, his subsequent repentance reveals God's capacity to restore even the most broken individuals (Psalm 51).
King David today, is not known for his sinful nature in one season, but for his bravery and his heart in most other seasons. His story proves that making a mistake in one area of your life does not disqualify you from God’s calling, you’re not perfect and that’s okay. You can repent and try again.
Peter - From Denial to Apostle
Peter was a disciple of Jesus Christ, the one that infamously denied Him three times. His act serves as a perfect example of human frailty. But the story didn’t end there, Jesus' restoration of Peter on the shores of Galilee (John 21:15-19) demonstrates that God's forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds.
Peter's following role as a key apostle of Christ Jesus and Christianity emphasizes the fact that God's purpose always prevails over human imperfections.
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Paul - From Persecutor To Proclaimer
Saul, later known as Paul, is the perfect example of God's ability to transform the most unlikely people. While he was a persecutor of Christians, Paul encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. This is what led to his radical conversion (Acts 9:1-22).
Paul’s life became a testimony to God's grace, as he proclaimed the gospel of our Lord Jesus to the Gentiles despite his past. His conversion to a Christian after killing Christians attests to God's ability to redirect lives marked by darkness. No one is too far gone, and no one is too imperfect to experience His great power.
Gideon - Overcame Insecurity Despite Doubt:
Gideon was considered the least in his family but he was called by God to deliver Israel from oppression (Judges 6:15). Despite his self-doubt, God reassured him: "Go in the strength you have... Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14, NIV).
Gideon went with God and he was successful. This story shows us that God's calling overrides human insecurities and that He can equip an imperfect person to accomplish His divine purposes.
Why God Uses Imperfect People
Behind God's preference for using imperfect people lie 3 profound truths that echo throughout Scripture and resonate with our own experiences:
Relatability and Empathy:
God uses imperfect people because their struggles make them relatable to others that are struggling with the same imperfections.
The apostle Paul acknowledges this in 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV), saying that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Imperfect people become people of empathy, fostering genuine connections that bridge the gap between human struggles and God's transformative grace.
Divine Redemption and Glory:
Through imperfect people, God's redemptive power shines brightly. These stories in the Word show us how God's grace can transform any life, no matter the depth of brokenness.
As we witness people like Paul, Father Abraham, the Samaritan woman, or even the woman who committed adultery (John 8:1-11) experience God's forgiveness and restoration, we gain a deeper understanding of God's capacity to turn the ashes of our mistakes into a tapestry of His glory.
No one is exempt from imperfection. We are all flawed people but His grace extends to all, offering redemption and a fresh start to anyone who wants it.
Eliminating Human Boasting:
By using imperfect people, God removes any opportunity for human boasting.
As Ephesians 2:9 (NIV) reminds us, salvation is "not by works, so that no one can boast." Our flaws prevent us from taking credit for God’s accomplishments. This, in turn, helps us redirect our praise to the Holy Spirit who equips us beyond our limitations. Which then fosters an environment of humility and dependence, where God's strength shines through our weakness.
In essence, God's deliberate choice of the less than perfect people serves as a powerful reminder that His work is accomplished not through human capability, but through divine grace.
Final Thoughts on God Using Imperfect People
In embracing the stories of Moses, David, Peter, Paul, Gideon, and so many others in the Bible, we uncover a profound truth: God's masterpieces are often crafted from broken pieces. Our imperfections are not obstacles but conduits for God's grace. Just as He used these flawed people to shape history, He continues to use imperfect people like us to fulfill His purpose now.
This should ignite hope and inspire us to embrace our own journey of redemption and growth.
It’s also important to remember that it’s in our imperfections that God’s power is magnified. Our flaws are not stumbling blocks; they are stepping stones to experiencing extraordinary things.
As we open our hearts to the transformative grace we received from Christ, may we begin to recognize that our imperfections are not hindrances to God's plan but integral parts of His divine strategy.
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About the Author:
Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2
Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing
Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me
