THE IMPERFECT HEROES OF SCRIPTURE

One of the reasons we find the Bible so believable and so relatable is because it refuses to gloss over its heroes. It doesn’t present them as flawless, unattainable icons of virtue. Instead, it shows us their humanity, their struggles, their mistakes. And in that, we find hope for our own lives.

Think about Moses, for example. Here was a man chosen by God to lead His people out of slavery. But Moses was also a murderer. He made a terrible decision that haunted him. Yet, God still used him mightily. Or consider David a man after God’s own heart but also guilty of adultery and murder. David’s life was marked by great triumphs and profound failures. But through it all, he kept turning back to God.

And then there’s Abraham, the father of our faith. Abraham’s journey was filled with moments of doubt and poor choices. But what set Abraham apart was his relentless faith. Despite his failures, he believed in God. And because of that faith, God declared him righteous. And in the same way, by believing in God’s promises and by receiving His grace and righteousness, we can reign in life through Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:17 says, “Those who receive the abundance of [God’s] grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” This is such a powerful verse. It reminds us that our righteousness doesn’t come from our own efforts or our ability to live perfectly. It comes from receiving God’s grace and righteousness through Jesus.

So, when you look at your own life and see the mistakes, the poor choices, the moments of guilt and shame, remember the heroes of Scripture. They weren’t perfect, but they were used by God in mighty ways. Their stories show us that it’s not about being perfect; it’s about believing in the One who is perfect.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
June 11, 2024