How God Uses Imperfect people: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—Just Willing
- Heather Edmund
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
While God is working on you, He is containing you from being exposed or from what is in you from being expose. We are not fully changed before God grows or advances us, because He doesn't wait for us to be perfect before He uses us.
What may be imperfect to others is perfect for God.
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God Doesn't Wait for Perfection Before Using You
God uses imperfect people to carry out His perfect plan. We often assume we have to be flawless to be used by God, but the Bible shows us where God uses the weak, the flawed, and the unlikely for His many purposes.
Take Moses, for example. He was a murderer (Exodus 2:11–14), and when God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery, he protested because of his speech impediment and insecurity (Exodus 4:10–12). But God wasn't looking for eloquence — He was looking for obedience.
David was a shepherd boy, overlooked by family, later committed adultery, and arranged a man’s death (1 Samuel 16:10–13; 2 Samuel 11:2–4; 2 Samuel 11:14–15). Despite his flaws (1 Samuel 16:7), David became a man after God’s own heart and the greatest king in Israel’s history (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
Gideon was timid and doubtful, calling himself the least in his family. But God called him a “mighty warrior” and used him to deliver Israel from their enemies (Judges 6:12, 15).
Peter denied Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 26:75). But Peter became one of Jesus’ closest disciples, part of His inner circle, and who Jesus ask to "feed His sheep." He chose Peter to lead, shepherd, and care for His followers (Matthew 17:1; Matthew 16:16–18; Luke 22:31–32; John 21:15–17).
Paul violently persecuted Christians. But after encountering Jesus, he became one of the most influential apostles, taking the gospel to the Gentiles (1 Timothy 1:15–16).
Rahab, a prostitute whose faith saved her family and earned her a place in the lineage of Jesus (Hebrews 11:31).
Jonah ran from God’s call, yet was still used to spark national repentance in Nineveh (Jonah 1:3).
Samson, despite his impulsiveness and pride, was empowered to defeat the Philistines in his final moments (Judges 16:28).
Joseph's parents, Isaac and Rebekah, struggled with favoritism toward their twin sons, which led to family conflict and set a pattern of generational dysfunction. Rebekah favored Jacob, while Isaac favored Esau (Genesis 25:28). This parental favoritism contributed to deceit, rivalry, and eventual estrangement between the brothers (Genesis 27:1–41).
Jacob, one of the twins, repeated this pattern with his own children, showing overt favoritism toward Joseph, the son of his old age and the firstborn of his beloved wife Rachel. Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons and gave him a special coat (Genesis 37:3). This favoritism stirred jealousy and hatred among his brothers, leading them to betray Joseph and sell him into slavery (Genesis 37:4; 18–28).
While God Is Working on You, He Is Also Containing You
God sees differently than we do.
While we judge based on appearances, past mistakes, or weaknesses, God looks at the heart. Like a container filled with dirty stuff, God, in His wisdom and mercy, begins the deep work within—cleansing us of the old (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9–10), renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), and refining our character so we can reflect His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). And Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the work He started in us, He is faithful to complete.
So although you might be elevating, God is still refining our hearts—not to hold you back, but to protect us and those we will influence. He is forming His nature in us—instilling the fruit of His Spirit: self-control, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness—and above all, love (Matthew 22:37–40).
This transformation isn’t just for our benefit; it’s so that our life can glorify Jesus, the One who restores, heals, and is the ultimate answer to every need.
You’re Not Called to Be Perfect—Just Surrendered
It’s not about being perfect (Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:20). Only the Holy Spirit can transform and refine us, shaping us into who God has called us to be (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22–23).
What God desires most is a surrendered heart—one that is open, willing, and fully given over to Him (Psalm 51:17; Romans 12:1).
He values obedience, humility, and faithfulness far more than outward performance or appearance (1 Samuel 15:22; Micah 6:8; Proverbs 3:3–4).
Above all, God longs for us to love Him deeply and to love others genuinely (Matthew 22:37–39; John 13:35).
We live in a world quick to disqualify others, and we even disqualify ourselves, for not measuring up. But God doesn’t call the perfect; He perfects us.
The real question isn’t “Am I good enough?” but “Am I surrendered?” Because God doesn’t need your perfection — He just needs your yes, obedience, and surrender.
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you need to do is receive the gift of salvation by repenting of your sins and inviting Jesus into your life, confessing Him as Lord. As Romans 10:9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” And 1 John 4:15 assures us, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” When you take this step, you are saved and welcomed into God’s Kingdom—becoming a part of the family of Christ!
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that You are Lord, and I believe in my heart that You died and rose again for my sins. I ask for Your forgiveness and receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
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