Ideal?

Per a recommendation from a brother, I started getting into a new book - "Christian Living In The Home," by Jay Adams. I know it has the word "Home" in the title, but even after reading just the first chapter, I know that this book will have application beyond the home. It will have application to the home, family, children, singles, etc. I'm looking forward to the chapters to come.

Chapter one talks about a Christ-centered home. We're reminded that Christians aren't perfect. The same can be said about Christian households. "Conditions are far from ideal." Just because you're living in a Christian home, doesn't mean that everything is perfect. And the reason things aren't perfect is sin. Yes, you're living in a home with Christians, but Christians sin too, so you're living in a home where there are sinners. However, there is a difference between a home of Christians and a home of unbelievers.

Christians admit their sins. We know that we're not perfect and that we do sin. We can anticipate it happening and prepare for it to happen. Not that we look forward to it nor are pleased when we do it; we do know that it will happen and it should not completely surprise us when it does happen. Therefore, we can be open and honest about it - admit it and not cover it up (but I'm not saying that we flaunt it). When we do sin, we call it what it is - sin - and we try not rationalize it or defend it, but we confess it. With confession and repentance comes forgiveness. Yes, Christians are sinners, but what separates us from unbelievers is that we deal with our sins. We look to the commands and examples of Scripture, and we find out what we're to do. Yes, we sin and we fail, but by God's grace, we learn from it, progress out of it, and grow in Christ. This is the lifelong process of sanctification.