Flawed

<<faulty, defective>>

doubted your worth or wondered if your mistakes and personality blemishes disqualify you, take heart. God’s restoration, His daily grace, and the ongoing transformation He offers are for you.

The Bible makes a comforting statement, “We have this treasure [the rich and invaluable truths of the gospel] in [corrupt, far from perfect] earthen vessels, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor 4:7). Displaying His creativity and ability He takes the despised, weak things that aren’t productive – situations that don’t work, people with problems – and through these seemingly impossible means works miracles and brings about His purposes. From our sin-affected souls, our character emerges, which in turn manifests itself as defective behaviour in word and actions.

Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Eph 2:8-10). The same grace that saves us is the same grace that enables us to be used by Him. We can acknowledge our flaws and weaknesses without being defined by them, knowing that we are continually being transformed by God’s grace, becoming vessels of honour useful in His service (2 Tim 2:20,21).

The Bible does not evade depicting the character imperfections of various individuals, which range from David, who committed adultery and murder, to Peter, who denied Jesus three times (2 Sam 11:2-4,15; Mk 14:66-71). The portrayal of flaws in characters serves to reflect the reality of human nature and the universal need for God's intervention and transformation through Christ. These and numerous other examples demonstrate that even after sin, there is a possibility for repentance, forgiveness, and redemption with future usefulness in His Kingdom because of God's grace. David’s repentance is recorded, then followed later with the statement “he served God’s purposes in his generation” (2 Sam 12:13; Ps 51:1,2; Act 13:36). Peter wept bitterly, and the Lord restored this now humbler follower to become one of the prominent leaders of the early church (Mk 14:72; Act 1:15ff). In His mercy, God often gives us second chances when we have failed.

Typically, when something is flawed or broken, it needs to be fully restored before it can be of use. Yet God doesn’t wait for us to be fully restored before He uses us. He calls us and works through us as He is restoring us. Like a skilled potter shaping clay, God doesn’t discard us when we’re marred. Instead, He patiently refashions us, transforming us over time into vessels of honour (Jer 18:1-6). This process isn’t a one-time event; it’s a journey that continues throughout our lives and will only be perfected in eternity (Phil 1:6).

Do I struggle to believe God can use me because I am not fully restored and see the flaws? Some people consider that they must attain a certain level of goodness or perfection before they turn to God for salvation, or He can use them. Yet this implies we can improve ourselves, at least to a certain degree of godliness, which is an impossibility.  

nothing” (Jn 15:5). Separated from Him, we can’t accomplish anything effective for the Kingdom. True growth comes as we stay connected to Jesus, read Scripture, pray for wisdom, listen for His guidance, remain open to correction and encouragement from others, and allow His Spirit to shape our attitudes and actions. It’s choosing to forgive, to serve, and to seek God’s will, trusting that He is actively working within us. The fruit of the Spirit grows in us as we surrender, by being sensitive to and obeying the Holy Spirit, not as we strive alone, independent of His enabling (Gal 5:22-25). Self-effort says, ‘I’ll fix myself’; Spirit-led growth says, ‘God, change me from the inside out’. While some aspects of our salvation can only be accomplished by Christ, other responsibilities are our obligation, such as self-discipline and humbly walking in righteousness.

We must cultivate self-awareness. Not an over-indulgence introspection, but a healthy consciousness of both our strengths and weaknesses. David often asked God to show him his flaws (Ps 26:2, 139:23,24). This should result in godly sorrow. Not self-pity, as this leads only to depression and hopelessness, while godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and freedom (2 Cor 7:10,11). True repentance involves confessing, making amends when we should and can, and turning from our sinful actions by walking toward holiness and Kingdom values.

It is not wise to compare ourselves to others in the process of becoming like Christ. He does this by working on our character through His Word, His Holy Spirit, other people, and circumstances as we walk with Him in repentance and holiness. He is working in each of us differently yet with the same goal in view – to come into likeness to Himself and present us faultless before God (Rom 8:29; 1 Pet 1:15,16; Jud 1:24). When people observe our lives, do they see, “We are being transformed into His image” (2 Cor 3:18)?

(Mt 7:3-5). We all have blind spots – something we don't see about ourselves that others do see – and faults that blight our character. We are not be judgmental in our observations of other people, but if a believer is trapped in any sin, you who are spiritual (that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit) are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness (not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness), keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well (Gal 6:1). While our focus is primarily to be on ourselves, we are in a sense to be our brother’s keeper – being in accountability and as appropriate helping to restore others to a better relationship with Christ with the focus on beneficial correcting, not criticism or condemnation.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working“ (Jas 5:16). This makes us vulnerable as we share our weaknesses and struggles with other believers in a caring and honest relationship who are committed to seeing each other come into a greater level of wholeness in Christ. 

Failure doesn’t define us, nor do our past mistakes disqualify us from being used by God. When we stumble or feel inadequate, God’s grace reminds us that our worth isn’t based on our achievements or failures. It’s rooted in His love and what Christ has done for us (2 Cor 12:9). God uses imperfect people, highlighting His grace rather than human perfection.

God specialises in working through flawed, unfinished people, after all, those are the only kinds of people there are! Your transformation is ongoing, and every day is another opportunity to experience His grace and participate in His work. When others see your life, may they notice the evidence of God’s restoring power and love, and may you be encouraged: you are valued, you are chosen, and you are being made new.

See also: accountability, brokenness, character, compare, cooperation, defects, failure, faults, mistakes, process, restitution/restore, second chance, self-discipline, vessels, vulnerable, weakness, wholeness.