He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. (John 1:8, NASB)

Often times I hear unregenerate men and women who are the enemies of the gospel misjudge the faithful ministers of God. They think that once a person talks about perfection in Christ's life on earth, they should be perfect themselves in like manner. They forget that they are talking about a Person who's perfection is beyond reach in this earthly temple. To measure someone's right to minister the word of God by Jesus's life on earth will not be fair. I'm talking in the physical sense.

As Christians we all know that we are to imitate Jesus who's the perfect example of the life we are called to live (Ephesians 5:1). We are to be holy because God is holy. These are biblical truth must be fastened to our very hearts. They must be the motivation for the Christian. That although we live in a sin-crammed world, we are still called upon to live a life like Christ by the Holy Ghost. But can anyone say he or she lives sinless life?Will God who said there's none good be a liar? Of course not.

John was not the Light himself. He was just a mouthpiece for that Light. He came to make the path straight for the coming of this Light. This makes John not equal to the Light. For he said "I am not the Christ" when inquired whether he was He. Jesus Christ was a man who was elevated above all men. He was perfect in all his doings from perfect conception to perfect death and resurrection, he has no rival. Therefore, his ministers, those who preach the gospel shouldn't be expected to live fully to the message they preach.

This is not to say that they don't live to obtain the perfection they don't have. It's not to say that they are content with their shortcomings in the things of the Spirit. But that although they have been given the ultimate power, the Holy Ghost to help them live a holy life, they still can never obtain it fully in their practical lives because of the mortal bodies they live in. The spirit might be willing buy the weakness in this flesh wouldn't allow them to do what the spirit likes. This is described as a warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. And as long as God is going to choose men to work in His vineyard, they will be fallible men. Their perfection will only be in the Spirit. The one given to them freely by the grace of God.

With this at the back of our minds, let's be careful how we judge men who work for God. They are not the God they preach, they are men with weaknesses and are fallible . But they must preach it. A standard that's above them. It's an act of childlike obedience to relay the message to the world. They need not edit it to suit their imperfections. They have to preach it in its purity. They are voices crying out in the world that men should repent and believe in the Light for the Salvation of their souls. That's their work.

They are not supposed to preach their lives. They have a better life to preach and that's that of their Master who sent them. So let's also not be discouraged when unbelievers accuse us of preaching what we don't practice . I'm not denying that fact that there are wolves in sheep's clothing who are disgracing the church of God by their wickedness and unregenerate hearts. They are not the topic of discussion here. I'm talking about genuine Christians who are living lives of repentance and faith and are mortifying sin everyday.

We must expect discouragements from the world and one of it comes in the form of accusations. This is when we have to remind ourselves of the position we have in Christ Jesus. We have to remember the blood he shared to justify us in the sight of God. That God sees us in his perfect Son. And that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, NASB).

Don't be discouraged by your shortcomings. Preach the gospel. Love in repentance and faith and you'll receive your crown In heaven.