Is God pleased to use people who aren't perfect?

Question

I used to think not only that God wouldn't use me unless I was perfect but that He wouldn't love me unless I was perfect. That was when I was first a Christian. Now I think I understand that we strive to be perfect as He is perfect but we never accomplish that here. But He is glorified when he uses us in our sinful state, like when He used Samson to destroy the Philistines. What are people's thoughts on that?

If you don't believe in God please don't answer.

Answer 1

God is not pleased about imperfection, but he is pleased to use people who are not perfect. Actually, he doesn't have much of a choice, because if he wants to use people, the only ones available are imperfect since everyone is imperfect.

He could choose not to use people at all, the being who created the world effortlessly in six days certainly doesn't need our help for anything. However, he seems to insist on using us people, in spite of our imperfections, in certain things that he does.

Think of all the characters in Bible stories. Apart from Jesus, were any of them perfect? Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Noah got drunk. Abraham was not above telling lies, Sarah also lied about not laughing, and Jacob tricked Isaac and stole Esau's birthright, Rachel stole her father's gods and then lied about it, Joseph's brothers sold their brother into slavery and lied about it to Jacob, Judah went to see a prostitute and then wanted to have his daughter-in-law burned, Simeon and Levi massacred an entire village, Moses killed an Egyptian and then struck a rock when he was meant to speak to it, Aaron collaborated in making a golden calf idol, the prophet Balaam took bribes and tried to curse Israel but God still used him, Gideon let power get to his head, Samson broke his vows and had a weakness for the wrong kind of women, Eli let his sons' abuses go unchecked, David committed adultery and murder, Solomon had too many wives and ended up leading the country into idol worship, Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish (Spain) instead of going to Nineveh as God asked him to. Some of Jesus' disciples were fighting amongst themselves about who would have a more powerful position in the group, Peter had a hot temper and also denounced Jesus, Thomas doubted Jesus, everyone that God used in the Bible is imperfect.

What this tells us is that God is very great. He can use something imperfect to accomplish his will in spite of its imperfections.

It also tells us that just because God seems to be using us, it does not mean that everything in our lives is perfect or that God approves of it. God still gave Samson the strength to carry off Gaza's city gates even though he had gone there to seek a prostitute.

It also tells us that for some reason, God wants to use imperfect humans (he could get the perfect angels to do his bidding on earth, or he could just do it himself, but he insists on using humans). Perhaps it is because God created humans to have dominion on earth, to bear his image and be his representatives on this planet, to be his messengers or angels if you like, here on earth. Sin has defaced the image of God in humanity, but God is working to restore it, and perhaps involving humans in accomplishing God's plans and God's will on earth is part of the process of that. It is also part of God's friendship with us, he wants us to engage with him and share in what he is doing so that we get some idea of his character and aims.

PS: There is a common belief that Enoch did not see death because he was perfect. However, the Bible says no such thing. Romans 3:23 says that everyone is a sinner. Rather, Enoch was translated because of his faith in God (Hebrews 11:5-6). Elijah was also translated, going up to heaven in a "firey chariot", but the Bible does not say he was perfect either. He had human weaknesses too and at one stage got depressed and fled to a cave and asked to die.

Answer 2

i once prayed that I would become a fool so that God could be glorified in me.
He honors the weakest with strength among us.
and he calls people from among us to be prophets. but not all prophets are chosen by him.
as for your understanding of perfection, there is a common tradtion that mankind cannot obtain it. !
but I know Enoch was a mortal man and it appears he achieved something of some kind of perfection to walk with God and become translated and ascended. wouldnt you think that has to be so?
it is very clearly written that of the 3 men listed, i think it was Enoch Noah and Job, they were all declared perfect and the only ones who saved.
I think the question must define what perfection is.
perfection is so simple to achieve, it doesnt mean that everything a person says or does will always be 100%. but it means if you have No sin, you achieve a sinless perfect state of salvation. it means if you recognize a mistake that you fix it. it means that if you live long enough you can repent of every sin and come into the presence of God. did jesus say it was possible when he commanded us to become perfect? complete?
The fact is most mortal men will not achieve sanctification and be justified. They will only be justified by faith, sanctification can take a whole lifetime, but true repentance is to stop sinning and "forsake" all sin.

Answer 3

If we COULD become perfect, we wouldn't need a savior. We would save ourselves.

Matt 9:12-13

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
(from New International Version)


1 Tim 1:15-17

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(from New International Version)

God has little choice but to use the imperfect such as you and I are.

This is not a excuse to go on seeking sin, because it is by our works of love for others that He is glorified.

Answer 4

Yes, If God chooses you you don't have to be perfect, He makes you perfect. Before Paul became a Christan he killed the Christians and God chose him. He is perfect and He looks at us as His image. All the men's chosen in the history of salvation had their imperfections. He chooses those who are not, so that His glory can be shown and people would see that is not man, but is God.

Answer 5

I'm Atheist, but I'm sure you won't mind my thoughts on the subject.

I agree with you here. It's near impossible to be a perfect (wo)man. You could try all you want, but chances are you will eventually sin. You can try to be perfect and avoid sinning, and I think that is enough. "God" should be able to use you whether or not you're completely free of sins. Of course, that's no excuse to start sinning left and right.

That's just my view on it, and I am by no means religious being Atheist so my opinion might not mean much to you in this discussion.

Answer 6

I think you're very right, there are many scriptural examples of God calling imperfect people to do important things. And I think an important part of using the imperfect or weak to do His work is so the world can know that it was by God's power they were able to do (fill in the blank) and not their own abilities.

Anyone can be an important tool in the hands of God, seek opportunities to love and serve, and you will be great in His hands.

Answer 7

Yes, your right God even chose us before we knew Him and while we were yet in our sins He sent Jesus to pay the price you could not pay. Even Paul states that even though he tries to do good he fails. He truly uses imperfect people and helps us to become like Jesus, perfecting us as we mature in Him. We have the enemy tempting us all the time and our old natures but we are becoming New creations in Christ Jesus and are acquiring the mind of Christ as we learn what is the height, the depth, and the width of His love, knowledge is for us. In Proverbs it says wisdom is the principal thing and in your Getting of wisdom get knowledge and understanding [in your heart].
Remember that a sinner is a professional, but once you accept Jesus you are no longer a professional sinner you are a saint [not of this world] you no longer are to think as the world thinks in sin but in righteousness and truth of the Kingdom of God.

Answer 8

SALLAM AL-QURAN surah (96)AL-ALAQ, verse 1-19 Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), (1) He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) (2) Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, (3) Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. (4) He has taught man that which he knew not. (5) Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed). (6) Because he considers himself self-sufficient. (7) Surely! unto your Lord is the return. (8) Have you (O Muhammad (SAW)) seen him who prevents, (9) A slave (Muhammad (SAW)) when he prays? (10) Tell me, if he (Muhammad (SAW)) is on the guidance (of Allâh) (11) Or enjoins piety! (12) Tell me if he denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'ân), and turns away? (13) Knows he not that Allâh does see (what he does)? (14) Nay! If he ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock — (15) A lying, sinful forelock! (16) Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers), (17) We will call the guards of Hell! (18) Nay! (O Muhammad (SAW))! Do not obey him. Fall prostrate and draw near to Allâh! (19)

Answer 9

The problem for many of us is that we don't think we're of much use to God. We believe that we have too many weaknesses and imperfections for God to use us. However, the fact of the matter is that everyone has weaknesses and God chooses to use weak and imperfect people to accomplish great things.

So, if you consider yourself foolish, if you consider yourself powerless, there's good news. You are the kind of person that God deliberately chooses to do great things.

Answer 10

Striving to be LIKE God and his Son in perfection is the important thing. And when he does use us for His great work, it makes us stronger and helps us on our quest of perfection.