What is the difference between being imperfect and being a sinner? I want to make this distinction before we move on because the two terms are not exactly equal.
Imperfection is largely subjective. It changes with the times, amongst different socioeconomic groups, and even from person to person. Essentially, imperfection (at least the kind we’re talking about here) is anything that is other than the way you intend or anything that falls short of any person’s standard of “perfection.” Perfection, therefore, can also be subjective. When I talk about imperfection on this blog, I’m primarily talking about societal norms in modern Western culture.
Sin can be very different. While all imperfection is not sin, sin is always imperfect.
1 John 3:4-10 states:
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
1 John 3:4-10 ESV
There is a lot to unpack there, and one day we will. But for now, let’s just focus on defining sin. Sin is anything that goes against God and/or God’s law. Since God is perfect, anything that goes against his perfection and his perfect ways (i.e. sin) is imperfect. Human beings are sinners. Period. The only human being to ever live who was fully perfect is Jesus Christ. Aside from Jesus, we are ALL sinners, and we are ALL, therefore, imperfect.
I use both terms interchangeably at times, because they tend to go hand in hand. However, I do think it’s important to point out that they have different meanings.
Let me reiterate: I am BOTH imperfect AND a sinner. As a sinner, I make mistakes. I mess up, and sometimes I mess up BAD. I do things that I know are wrong, and I don’t do things that I know I should do. I doubt God, I defy God, I ignore God. And yet, the beauty of believing in Jesus is that despite all of this, I am forgiven.
I think it’s also important to acknowledge all of my imperfections that aren’t necessarily sins (although depending on the specifics very well could be). For example, as I sit here typing at 10 AM, I am still in my pajamas, I have no makeup on, my kids are interrupting me every 30 seconds, and I don’t think I brushed my teeth yet today. Is any of that a sin? Probably not. Is it all imperfection? Probably.
Why does this other type of imperfection matter? It matters because it shows humility. It shows the world that I am not too proud to admit when I’m wrong. It shows the world that behind this anonymous screen, I am a complete mess. And guess what? THAT’S OKAY! Western society expects us to uphold this façade of perfection, and if we aren’t perfect, we’re supposed to pretend like we are. So that when everyone sees us, they believe that we are the best and they should aspire to be like us. Guess what the problem with this is? It causes people to (sinfully) compare themselves to one another, and when you don’t measure up to Miss Perfect next door, it affects your sense of self-worth. You become “less than” when you compare yourself to everyone else, and that in turn leads to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. One of my missions is to eliminate this whole idea that we are meant to strive for perfection. But more on that next time…
One final but very important note: I am in no way trying to glamorize or diminish sin. I love the analogy of sin being like a bottle of ink. If you take that bottle of ink and spill it on your carpet, you will have a large, very noticeable stain on the carpet that everyone will see. You can do your best to clean it or cover it up, but that ink has done permanent damage. However, if you spill that bottle of ink into the ocean (just an analogy, environmentalists don’t come after me), the ocean (which represents Jesus), will absorb the ink, and it will be washed away so that you can no longer see it. You see, sin doesn’t just go away. It has lasting consequences. It can destroy lives, relationships, and society. Sin is never okay. But thankfully, there is a Savior who can absorb our sin and make us clean. His name is Jesus.
To God Be ALL The Glory
Love, Grace