None of us is a perfect person.  There might be some who think they are or judge others as if they are perfect, but none of us–no, not one–is perfect, whether Christian, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, or of any other belief system.

Given that you are not perfect, and I am not perfect, I’m not sure any of us should ever utter words of critical judgement of another such as, “But he’s SUPPOSED to be a Christian,” as if being a Christian suddenly makes a person perfect.

Or issuing a judgement of what others “should do,” “ought to do,” are doing wrong, whose ‘fault’ a matter is, or otherwise making suppositions about people’s motives, knowledge of right and wrong, etc.

Given that you are not perfect, and neither am I, whatever your belief system, it is therefore hypocritical of you and me to judge another person on his or her imperfections.  There is a difference between awareness of imperfections in ourselves and in others, versus judging others for their perceived shortcomings.

We can all be aware of each others’ imperfections, and we can even lovingly point out potential problem areas when asked for advice by the person themselves, but criticizing others because of their imperfections doesn’t really serve anyone well, least of all the criticizer.

Instead of bashing other people or people groups, we must each become slaves to our own righteousness in order to create a better world (isn’t that what we all want).

We must mind our own business–work on our own personal growth, seek to improve through personal development, and chase after our own betterment.

If you follow an “organized” faith or religion of any kind, whether loosely or closely, you have guidelines for how you shall behave as a righteous person.

If you are an atheist, and you bash Christians, Muslims, Jewish people, or others of various faiths because they fail to measure up to whatever you perceive they should live up to–then you too have a professed belief system regarding what is “good” and “right.”   Your goal, in professing your beliefs, is to live up to the expectations of your belief system too.

Do you live up to the higher standards you believe everyone else should live up to or are you hypocritical in criticizing others when you yourself don’t live up to perfection?

I guaranty, it’s impossible for any of us to live up to perfection, but we all can come closer to creating a loving, accepting society if we start working on our own betterment and stop pointing out the flaws of everyone else.

In the belief systems of many, including me, loving and helping each other is what God wants us to do in our interactions with each other.

While being perfect is impossible, being of Christian faith, I know that my only way to becoming ‘perfect’ is through the grace and forgiveness of God for the times that I do fall short and behave badly.

“What then? Should I sin because I am not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if I present myself to anyone as an obedient slave, I will be the slave of the one whom I obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that I, having once been a slave of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which I was entrusted, and that I, having been set free from sin, have become a slave of righteousness.”  (Romans 6:15-18 paraphrased)

I think it is important to understand that anyone who strives to be truly righteous has become a “slave” to righteousness.  Being perfect comes naturally to no one, so we all have to work at it.

Working at becoming completely righteous is slavery, and is a constant, difficult effort, for which there is little (and sometimes no) reward in this lifetime.

For those of strong faith, they are often mocked and ridiculed for their imperfections, but they strive to become more righteous still.

Therefore, each of us seeking to become the best person we can be is under a yoke of slavery to become righteous in the eyes of our God and in the eyes of society at large.

For those who don’t believe in God, do you truly live up to the standard of behavior you expect of everyone else, especially for those who do believe in God? Unless you are perfect, don’t judge another on any imperfection.

Let us each, therefore, seek righteousness within ourselves, to live up to our beliefs, and seek to love each other on our journeys to becoming perfect people.

When you master your own perfection, and I master mine, then–and only then–do you or I have a right to judge anyone else on their short-comings.

Needless to say, that day will never come, so let us just love, encourage, and support one another in our daily striving.

I love you my friends.. I hope you have a marvelous day as you strive to be a better person.  I’m right here with you.. working on it.. and not nearly being perfect yet!