Perfection is Not a Reasonable Expectation

Oct 15, 2017
2 min read

Isaiah 65:1-5

"I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; 3 a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; 4 who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; 5 who say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day."

The Lord says, People who never before inquired about me are now seeking me out. Nations* who never before searched for me are finding me.

2 But my own people—though I have been spreading out my arms to welcome them all day long—have rebelled; they follow their own evil paths and thoughts.

3 All day long they insult me to my face by worshiping idols in many gardens and burning incense on the rooftops of their homes.

4 At night they go out among the graves and caves to worship evil spirits, and they eat pork and other forbidden foods.

5 Yet they say to one another, “Don’t come too close, you’ll defile me! For I am holier than you!” They stifle me. Day in and day out they infuriate me.

Perfection is not a reasonable expectation. God does not demand perfection from us.

But Devotion is a response that is very much in line with the expectations of humanity.