Edited
Not perfect, just forgiven
Have you ever had that reaction when you say you are a Christian and you know that you are going to heaven, “What makes you think you’re perfect?” There is a general misconception in our society that a Christian is someone who thinks they are good or perfect.
Christians
- By Maya Angelou
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-10
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As Christians we are called upon by God to live godly, righteous lives, that is, to be good. But it is not ‘being good’ that makes us Christians, but the fact that through faith in Jesus Christ we have received forgiveness of our sins - as the gift of God's grace