We are all deficient

The writer of the Book of Romans, in chapter 7 says,

"1 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;

23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind

and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

And this is from someone that God chose to write part of the New Testament.

So how can we expect the folks at our church to act?

Can we expect them to be perfect in everything they do?

If imperfect people are allowed to lead, then how do we stay safe among imperfect people?

There are things called 'boundaries' - how close we let certain people get to us.

There are people I would happily sit by in church, but I wouldn't put their name on my checking account.

See what I mean?

And, speaking to single people, there are other singles who may be saved,

but aren't yet ready for the rigors of marriage, they need more time to mature.

And, maturity isn't always based on chronological age.

Balanced people have balanced boundaries.

Gullible people have almost no boundaries and suffer for it.

Bullies have boundaries only for themselves, and try to absorb other people's boundaries, like Hitler did.

If everyone were pure and wholesome, the world would need fewer boundaries.

But because so many people have selfish-intent, boundaries are needed.
But the point here is, no one is completely pure, including you and I.

So, if we are to have some kind of decent life here on earth, we need to look for the best in others,

yet be on guard for those that lack decency,

and reckon that in some fashion, we are all soiled creatures that only Christ can redeem.

And until we see Jesus, face-to-face, we must accept some level of imperfection from others,

and we must confess the imperfection that plagues each of us, as the writer says in Romans Chapter 7.