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Title: Searching for the unfindable
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Blog Entry: Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}                 We spend most of our lives in the search of perfection and are always met with disappointment. We know in the back of our minds that there is no such thing as perfection, but we still insist on searching for it. The same goes for Christians; we search for the perfect church, and often perfect people to accompany it. Sometimes in this search for perfection we also look for imperfections as if things are too good to be true and in this process we find the imperfections were looking for a use them as an excuse to discredit the church.             The fact is there are no perfect people and there is no perfect church. How can we expect a perfect church when it is run by imperfect people? The saving grace is we have a Savior who is perfect! He took on the sins of the world and died on the cross so that His blood would provide atonement for our sins. This ensures that when we ask for forgiveness earnestly we can start over with a new slate and clean plate if you will. This is as close to perfection we can ever hope to attain while living in a fleshly body and sinful world.             The church is not the building in which we gather the church are the people who gather in it. So when we try to discredit the “church” we are really scrutinizing the people. These people are supposed to be our brothers and sisters in Christ and whether we know it or they are our lifeline. Christ established fellowship to help strengthen us, to help mold new Christians, support the community, bring new souls to the kingdom and most importantly change the world by spreading the gospel of Christ. So when you judge God’s people you are judging God. Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm . (Psalm 105:15)             Now coming to the realization that there are no perfect people or churches in the world that doesn’t mean we should stop striving to be like Christ who is perfect. This realization should cause us to be more humble and acknowledge the sovereignty of God. And in my opinion more grateful for His sacrifice on the cross for us. Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection ] through our Lord Jesus Christ , through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation. (Romans 5:11 AB). If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say , I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. ( Job 9:20) Psalms 18:32, Matthew 5:48, Matthew 19:21, James 3:2, Deuteronomy 18:13, Colossians 1:28, Psalms 119:96, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 5:10, John 17:23, Ephesians 4:13, Psalms 37:37 It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.---Joseph Addison